NATURAL HISTORY. 51 
of acknowledging their sovereign attack him with 
open hostility. He is likewise insulted with the 
stings of insects^ and the poisonous hites of serpents ; 
and he is often incommoded by impure and noxious 
creatures^ which seem to exist for no other purpose 
but to form the shade between good and evil, and 
to make man feel how little, since his fall, he is 
respected. 
Into the habits and manners, the structure and 
functions of all these different classes of animals it is 
the province of the naturalist to enquire. Some are 
more immediately within his reach and exposed to 
his observation. The domestic animals are more 
especially forced to obey and to serve man ; and 
every thing relating to them is of great interest. 
The reduction of the horse to a domestic state is the 
greatest acquisition from the animal world which 
was ever made by the art and industry of man. 
But it is no part of my purpose to enter into 
detail. I would rather wish to glance at some of the 
more striking circumstances, which are calculated to 
awaken your attention to the captivating pursuits 
that are within your reach. 
To the ornithologist I need not say a word to 
increase the interest with which he regards all the 
wonders of the feathered tribe, but to those not 
initiated into this enchanting study, a passing notice 
may serve to arouse in them some desire to partici- 
pate in its pleasures. The nest of a bird is one 
of those daily marvels that from its familiarity is 
passed over without regard. Each bird prepares 
