166 
lAVAT ER’s 
ESSAY xvni. 
On the Features of Animals. 
BRUTES differ from each other in chara£ler 
aiid difpofition, as much as they do in ftature and 
the conftrudlion of their bones. 
Every fpecies has a peculiar fet of features that 
didinguiflies them all, — from the imperial eagle 
down to the weakeft infeft, or from the creeping 
worm up to the formidable lion and gigantic ele- 
phant. 
At the firfl: fight of thefe creatures, or on feeing 
the lamb, the ferpent, and butterfly, without the 
leafl knowledge of their names and power, would 
a child be at a lofs to attribute to them their re- 
fpeftive degrees of ftrength and courage ? 
Among animals, that clafs is the weakeft, and 
leaft capable of receiving ideas, which differs the 
moft from mankind in their outward form. This 
affertion may be proved by a glance at the various 
claffes; or even a comparifon of their figures, in 
idea, fuffjces for a demonftration. 
Through the whole range of animal creation not 
a fingle brute is to be found, that is not quite dif- 
ferent from man in exterior appearance and inward 
4 ftrufture j 
