374 



THE PHILOSOPHY 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Of the Hoftilities of Animals, 



IN contemplating the fyftera of animation exhibited in this pla- 

 net, the only one of which we have any extenfive knowledge, 

 the mind is ftruck, and even confounded, with the general fcene of 

 havock and devaftation which is perpetually, and every where, pre- 

 fented to our view. There is not, perhaps, a fingle fpecies of ani- 

 mated beings, whofe exiftence depends not, more or lefs, upon the 

 death and deftrudtion of others. Every animal, when not prema- 

 turely deprived of life by thofe who are hoftile to it, or by accident, 

 enjoys a temporary exiftence, the duration of which is longer or 

 {horter according to its nature, and the rank it holds in the creation; 

 and this exiftence univerfally terminates in death and diflblution. 

 This is an eftablifhed law of Nature, to which every animal is obli- 

 ged to fubmit. But this neceffary and univerfal deprivation of in- 

 dividual life, though great, is nothing when compared to the havock 

 occafioned by another law, which impels animals to kill and devour 

 different fpecies, and fometimes their own. In the fyftem of Nature, 

 death and diiTolution feera to be indifpenfible for the fupport and 

 continuation of animal life. 



But, 



