OF NATURAL HISTORY. 383 



It is a remarkable circumftance In the hiftory of animated Nature, 

 that carnivorous birds and quadrupeds are lefs prolific than the in- 

 offenfive and aflbciating kinds ; but, on the contrary, that the inha- 

 bitants of the waters, who are all carnivorous, are endowed with a 

 moft aftonifhing fecundity. All kinds of fifties, a few only excep- 

 ted, are oviparous, Notwithftanding the amazing deflrudion of 

 their eggs by the fmaller fry that frequent the fnores, by aquatic 

 birds, and by the larger fifhes, the numbers which efcape are fuffi- 

 cient to fupply the ocean with inhabitants, and to afford nourifh- 

 ment to a very great portion of the human race. A cod, for inflance, 

 according to the accurate computation of Lewenhoeck, produces, 

 from one roe, above nine millions of eggs in a fingle feafon. The 

 flounder lays annually above one million, and the mackarel more 

 than five hundred thoufand : An increafe fo great, if permitted to 

 arrive at maturity, that the ocean itfelf, in a few centuries, would 

 not be fpacious enough to contain its animated produdions. This 

 wonderful fertility anfwers two valuable purpofes. In the midfl: of 

 numberlefs enemies it continues the refpedive fpecies, and furnifties 

 to all a proper quantity of nourifhment. 



We have thus feen that man, fome quadrupeds, forae birds, and 

 all fiChes, are carnivorous animals. But this fyftem of carnage de- 

 fcends ftill lower. Many of the infeB tribes derive their nourifh- 

 ment from putrid carcaffes, from the bodies of living animals, or 

 from killing and devouring weaker fpecies. How many flies are 

 daily facrificed by fplders, a moft voracious and a rnoft numerous 

 tribe of infeds ? In return, fpeeders are greedily devoured by flies 

 which are diftinguifhed by the name of ichneumons. The number 

 of thefe ichneumon flies Is inconceivable; and, if It were not for the 

 prodigious havock they make upon caterpillars and other Infeds, the 

 fruits of the earth would be entirely deftroyed, Wafps are extreme- 

 ly fond of animal food. They frequent butchers flails, and beat off 



the 



