THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 



41 



into the mouth for undergoing a final mastication. The females are easily tamed ; 

 they yield an abundance of milk, and instead of fat are supplied with suet. The males, 

 which are less numerous in each species, are consequently polygamous, and the females 

 produce only one or two young ones, which are able to walk from their birth. The 

 mammffi are always placed near the abdomen ; the flesh forms a healthy food. Every 

 one is acquainted with the immense advantages which Man derives from the domesti- 

 cation of these genera, with the fleeces and skins of the Sheep, Goat, Vicugna, and 

 with the leather yielded by the skins of all the animals of this tribe, "Without the 

 Rein-deer, the Polar regions would be uninhabitable by the Laplander and many 

 other nations. Without the Horse and Ox, agriculture would be impossible, and nations 

 could no longer exist in their present state of civilization. The Arab in vain might 

 attempt to traverse the Deserts without the aid of the Camel. 



9. Cetacea. — Finally, we arrive at the Cetacea, whose limbs are formed into oars 

 or fins. They all Hve upon the water rather than in it, for they can only breathe 

 atmospheric air, and may be drowned by too long an immersion in the water. The 

 Herbivora, a tribe of aquatic Mammalia, are analogous in many respects to the Am- 

 phibia. Among them we find the Manatus or Sea-cow, and the Dugong (^Halicore)^ 

 animals which have probably given rise to the accounts of Tritons, Sirens, and Mer- 

 men. The Cetacea proper are more pecuharly aquatic than the Amphibia, for they 

 are never found to rest upon the ground. The female usually produces one or two 

 young ones alive in the water, where she gives them the breast, watches over them, 

 and supports them when fatigued upon her back and sides. 



GENERAL EEVIEW OF THE MAMMALIA CONTINUED. 



Relations to the other Classes — Gradual degeneracy of form — Fitness for their 



several stations. 



From the brief outline which has been attempted in the preceding sections, it may 

 be easily understood that the other Mammalia approximate very closely to Man in 

 their general nature, and more especially that portion of them which compose the 

 Viviparous Quadrupeds. These form unquestionably the most important portion of 

 the Animal Kingdom, from the similarity of their external shapes to our own, the 

 superiority of their instincts above all other animals, the meek submission of some to 

 the force of domestication, and the determined hostiHty of others to any modification 

 of their original habits. 



Their marked resemblance to ourselves naturally leads us to view the Quadrupeds, 

 and indeed all the terrestrial Mammalia, with feelings of interest, which the other 

 classes of Vertebrated Animals must in vain attempt to claim. It is true that we 

 admire the delicacy and lightness exhibited in the forms of most Birds, the general 

 warmth of their temperament, their liveliness, and perpetual motion, which we are 

 apt to compare to their own airy medium. The Fishes, on the other hand, are natu- 

 rally a stupid race, without animation or sensibility ; and, like the ocean which serves 

 as their dwelling, preserve nearly the same temperature at all times. Their exertions 

 are seen only in efforts to swim, or to satisfy their most pressing necessities; and 

 that scaly covering which surrounds many of their bodies blunts their sense of touch, 

 and renders them more or less insensible to external impressions. On the contrary, 

 the Quadruped preserves a middle station between the heights of the atmosphere and 

 the abysses of the ocean. He seems to share with Man the sovereignty of the earth, 

 and, like him, to exhibit an intermediate character. He neither possesses the ardour 

 and vivacity of the Bird, the stupidity of the Fish, nor the heavy apathy of the Rep- 

 tile. But, fixed to the firm and dry land, the Quadruped has received a certain 

 degree of solidity and firmness of structure. His walk has not that rapidity which 

 characterizes the flight of Birds, or that nimbleness which we observe in the move- 

 ments of the Fish; yet his motions do not partake of the laborious dulness observed 

 in the Tortoise, and other Reptiles. His moderate swiftness permits the muscles to 

 act with greater vigour, and allows his faculties time to expand. Indeed, without 

 considering Man, the other Mammalia contain beings the most susceptible of intelli- 

 gence on the face of the globe. 



We have already pointed out the leading characters which belong to Man, as well 

 as all the other Mammalia ; yet we must observe, that throughout their entire orders, 

 from the Bimana to the Cetacea, we may easily trace a kind of gradual departure 

 from the external form fitted for Man. Whether we consider the Monkey tribe in 

 their external appearance, or in their internal organs, we find the closest resemblance. 

 The skeleton, the muscles, and all the internal organs, even to the ramifications of 

 the smallest vessels, present a degree of similarity to Man at once startUng and mor- 

 tifying. In fact, the Apes, though forming many distinct genera and species of 

 themselves, seem but a rough sketch of human degradation. The same shades of 

 deviation can be seen in descending from the Quadrumana to the Cheiroptera, the 

 Carnassiers, the Tardigrada, and indeed throughout all the series. We must, how- 

 ever, recollect, that the most important organs, such as those which are the essential 

 attendants of their internal functions, never change materially. They are identical 

 in all the Mammalia, and fulfil their uses in nearly the same manner. It is only ex- 

 ternally and superficially that this degeneracy of form exhibits itself. Thus, for 

 example, the hand of Man may be recognized in that of the Ape. In the Makis it 

 already begins to appear deformed, and continues to deteriorate through the Hed"-ehogs, 

 the Moles, and Bears. It becomes a paw, when we arrive at the Dogs. Afterwards 

 the nails exhibit, in the Sloth, the transition to the solid hoofs of the Sheep, Staf^, 

 and Ox, and terminate in the uniform hoof of the Solipeda. Finally, we find in the 

 Whales and Dolphins no other vestige than a stump rudely fashioned as an oar. Yet, 

 if we open the skin of this part, we still find the principal bones of the hand and arm, 

 but in that rudimental form which serves but to mark the wideness of their separation 

 from the perfectly-developed hand of Man. This law of degeneracy is, however, by 

 no means invariably adhered to, and we have intentionally passed over several genera 

 which exhibit marked and decisive exceptions to its generality 



From the Quadrumana to the Cetacea we observe a decided contrast to Man in the 

 elongation of their muzzles, their general tendency towards the earth, and the violence 

 of their passions, unrestrained like his by the voice of Reason and Conscience. It is 

 probable that their enjoyments of sense are more vivid than those of Man; they always 

 yield to the present impulse, and are susceptible only in a slight degree of intellec- 

 tual improvement. 



It is for action and not for reflection that the Beasts of the earth are designed. 

 Their limbs are more robust than those of Man ; and this natural vigour is further 

 improved in the wild races, especially the Carnivora, by continual exercise. Their 

 constant activity increases this muscular vigour, their bodies are more healthy, and 

 become more capable of resisting external injury or the inclemencies of the seasons. 

 Nearly the same kind of contrast which we remark in our own species, between the 

 vigorous and thickly-set Mechanic and the delicate and lively Female, may be observed 

 between a wild animal of the forest and a robust Man. In proportion as the external 

 qualif.ies of the body are improved, sensibility and delicacy of feeling diminish; and 

 it would almost appear to be the necessary result of civilization and refinement that 

 the muscular vigour of our species should diminish, and that their liability to disease 

 should increase. 



However inferior the other Mammalia may be to Man in intellect, they are of all 

 animals the best able to understand his commands. The Birds are not capable of 

 holding these intimate relations to ourselves : for, whatever degree of intelligence may 

 be attributed to the domesticated Parrot or tamo Canary-bird, these are greatly sur- 

 passed by the superior instincts of the Dog, the Beaver, and the Elephant. Still less 

 are we capable of forming modes of connexion with the Reptiles and Fishes, while 

 the JMollusca and lower divisions of animated Nature form other natural societies 

 in which the influence of Man cannot be felt. In short, his power becomes extensive 

 in proportion as the animal approximates to his Nature. We can teach the Insect, 

 the Fish, or the Reptile, absolutely nothing; our influence increases over the Birds; 

 but the other Mammalia are capable of considerable instruction. They are not mere 

 automata, but possess a certain degree of perfectibility. Indeed, the instincts of the 

 Mammalia seem to establish an intermediate intelligence between the Human Soul and 

 that mere animal existence enjoyed by the other divisions, whose whole lives are 

 absorbed in seeking their food or continuing their species. 



Every animal must necessarily be fitted for the station in which it is placed by 

 Nature. For if, by any accidental or natural event, an animal be placed in a situation 

 for which it is unfitted, it will either perish absolutely, or else its original constitution 

 will be modified so as to correspond accurately with its new condition. Thus the 

 animals of the torrid zone are suppUed with a very slight coat of hair, as we see 

 in the Barbary Dog, and the Apes ; while under the frigid zone they exhibit the 

 warmest and thickest furs, as in the Sable (Mustela xibelUna)^ the Bears, and the 

 Arctic Fox (Canis lagopus). 



This adaptation to surrounding circumstances is found equally in their senses, their 

 means of defence, the greater or less swiftness of their movements, and the ferocity or 

 mildness of their dispositions. 



Though all the Mammalia possess five senses, they do not enjoy each sense with 

 the same degree of intensity. Those species which dwell in the mountains, like the 

 Chamois (Antilope rtipicapra)^ and the Ibex fCapra zhexj, whose flight is rapid, 

 and which lead a wandering life, are far-sighted; on the contrary, the heavy animals 

 dwelling in the valleys, like the Hogs and Rhinoceroses, are near-sighted. Those again 

 whose eyes are too delicate for the full blaze of daylight, come from their dens only 

 at night, or in the twilight, hke the Bats, or else conceal themselves in the earth 

 like the Armadilloes and Hedgehogs. The more timid and feeble races make a 

 greater use of their ears than of their eyes; the Hare, the Rabbit, the Jerboa, the 

 Mouse, and other Rodentia, raise their ears at the slightest noise, preparatory to 

 flight ; but the more powerful and courageous races, such as the Lion, the Tiger, the 

 Lynx, and other Cats, endowed with a keen and piercing sight even at night, have 

 their ears small and their hearing indistinct. Thus the feebleness of one sense is 

 made up by the perfection of another, just as in Man, when accident deprives him of 

 sight, the sense of hearing becomes more acute. The power of smell, in the Mam- 

 malia, always refers to their proper food or to their ovm species. A dog, which finds 

 no pleasure from the scent of the Tuberose or the Carnation, will discover the female 

 of his own species, or the carcase of another animal, at an immense distance. With 

 the Carnivorous animals the sense of taste becomes a fierce and sanguinary appetite; 

 with the Herbivorous tribes it possesses an equal sensibility in distinguishing the 

 nutritious plant from the poisonous weed. 



The same adaptation to their wants and enjoyments is found in the general form of 

 their limbs. " In some," observes Goldsmith, " they are made for strength only, 

 and to support a vast unwieldy frame, without much flexibility or beautiful proportion. 

 Thus the legs of the Elephant and Rhinoceros resemble pillars; were they made 

 smaller they would be unfit to support the body; were they endowed with greater 

 flexibiHty or swiftness, they would be needless, as they do not pursue other animals for 

 food; and, conscious of their own superior strength, there are none that they deign to 

 avoid. Deer, Hares, and other creatures that are to find safety in flight, have their 

 legs made entirely for speed; they are slender and nervous. Were it not for this 

 advantage, every carnivorous animal would soon make them a prey, and their races 

 would be entirely extinguished. But in their present state of nature, the means of 

 safety are rather superior to those of offence, and the pursuing animal must owe suc- 

 cess only to patience, perseverance, and industry. The feet of some that live upon 

 fish alone are made for swimming. The toes of these animals are joined together 

 with membranes, being wcb-footed like a goose or duck, by which they swim with 

 great rapidity. Those animals that lead a life of hostility, and live upon others, have 

 their feet armed with sharp claws, which some can sheath and unsheath at will. 

 Those, on the contrary, who lead peaceful lives, have generally hoofs, which serve as 

 weapons of defence, and which in all are better fitted for traversing extensive tracts 

 of rugged country, than the claw- foot of their pursuers." 



In obedience to the same universal law of adaptation, we find that the Armadilloes 

 and Manis, which are destitute of teeth, find a counterbalancing defence in their 

 horny cuirass or scales. In (he Porcupine and Hedgehog, which are in other respect« 



