HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 217 



form, and manners. This agreement is likewife obferva- 

 ble in their internal conformation, which is ftill more ex- 

 act, — in the fhortnefs of their interlines, the fliarpnefs 

 and number of their teeth, and in the ftru£ture of their 

 feet and claws. They are all equally carnivorous; and 

 tear, rather than chew their meat. They eat flowly ; 

 and growl whilft they feed, as if afraid of lofing their 

 prey. They are all cowardly, and feldom make an at- 

 tack but where conqueft is certain. 



Animals of this race may be confidered as the moft 

 formidable enemies of mankind. There are others more 

 powerful; but their difpofitions are milder; and they 

 feldom offend till they find themfelves injured: Others 

 are more numerous ; but they are weaker, and find their 

 fafety not in oppofing, but in flying from man. Thefe 

 are the only quadrupeds that in any degree make good 

 their ground againft him, and maintain a kind of divided 

 fway over many fair and fertile tracts, that feem, in other 

 refpe&s, formed for the comfort and convenience of fo* 

 cial life. 



