OF NATURAL HISTORY. 375 



But, though almoft every animal, in fome meafure, depends for 

 its exigence on the deftrudlion of others, there are fome fpecies in 

 all the different tribes or clafles, which are diftinguifhed by the ap- 

 pellation of carnivorous or rapacious, becaufe they live chiefly, or 

 entirely, on animal food. In the profecution of this fubject, there- 

 fore, we fhall, in lh.sfrjl place, mention fome examples of animal 

 hoftility and rapacity; and, in the «fx/ place, endeavour to point 

 out fuch advantages as refult from this apparently cruel inftitution 

 of Nature. On the laft branch of the fubje£t, however, the reader 

 muft not exped to have every difficulty removed, and every quef- 

 tion folved. Like all the other parts of the oeconomy of Nature, 

 the neceffity, or even the feeming cruelty and injuftice, of allowing 

 animals to prey upon one another, is a myftery which we can never 

 be enabled completely to unravel. But we are not entirely without 

 hopes of fhowing feveral important utilities which refult from this 

 almoft univerfal fcene of animal devaftation.. 



Of all rapacious animals, Man is the moft univerfal deftroyer. 

 The deftrudlion of carnivorous quadrupeds, birds, and infedts, is, in 

 general, limited to particular kinds. But the rapacity of man has 

 hardly any limitation. His empire over the other animals which 

 inhabit this globe is almoft: univerfal. He accordingly employs his 

 power, and fubdues or devours every fpecies. Of fome of the qua- 

 druped tribes, as the horfe, the dog, the cat, he makes domeftic 

 flaves ; and, though in this country, none of thefe fpecies is ufcd for 

 food, he either obliges them to labour for him, or keeps them as 

 fources of pleafure and amufement. From other quadrupeds, as the 

 ox, the fheep, the goat, and the deer kind, he derives innumerable 

 advantages. The ox-kind, in particular, after receiving the emolu- 

 ments of their labour and fertility, he rewards with dea'h, and then 

 feeds upon their carcafles. Many other fpecies, though not com- 

 monly ufed as food, are daily maffacred in millions for the purpofes 



of 



