OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



591 



mod numerous -where the herbage is luxuriant. Nature is fo pro- 

 fufe in her animated produdions, that no food can be eat, and no 

 fluid can be drunk, in which animal fubftances, either in a living or 

 dead date, are not to be founds 



To this reafoning it may be objected, Why has Nature eftablifhed 

 a fyftem fo cruel? Why did fhe render it neceflary that one animal 

 could not live without the deftrudion of another ? To fuch queftions 

 no anfwer can be either given or expeded. No being, except the 

 Supreme, can unfold this myftery. Perhaps it even exceeds the li- 

 mits of poffibility to eftablifli fuch an extended fyftem of animation 

 upon any other foundation. From the general benevolence of the 

 great Creator, we are warranted to conclude that this is really the 

 cafe. But It is fruitlefs to dwell upon fubjeds which are infcrutable, 

 and far removed beyond the powers of human intelled. We fhall 

 therefore defcend, and endeavour to point out fome advantages which. 

 refult from this myfterious inftitutlon of Nature. 



On this branch of the fubjed, the reader will eafily perceive that 

 much order or connedion is not to be expeded. 



The hoftilities of animals, mankind not excepted, give rife to mu- 

 tual improvement. Animals improve, and difcover a fuperiority of 

 parts, in proportion to the number of enemies they have to attack 

 or evade. The weak, and confequently timid, are obliged to exert 

 their utmoft powers in inventing and pradifing every poffible mode 

 of efcape. Pure inftind powerfully prompts ; but much is learned- 

 by experience and obfervaiion. Rapacious animals, on the contrary,, 

 by frequent difappoir^tment, are obliged to provide againft the cun- 

 ning and alertnefs of their prey. Herbivorous animals, as they have 

 little difficulty in procuring food, are proportionally ftupid; but they 

 would be ftill more ftupid, if they had no enemies to annoy them. 



Man,, 



