MK’IIICAN .U'DrUOX SOCIK'iY. 
53 
came a desire to study the various forms of life, iu order to 
better aj^preciate nature and enjoy the thinos that life pre- 
sents. 
Up to the present time, those ])artaking of the interest 
in nature study from the philoso])hical and humane stand- 
point, have had comparatively little o])portunity to get ac- 
quainted with what were common wild animals a few years 
since, because of their scarcity. They probably will be scarce 
until those persons develop a strong desire to protect these 
animals. Of course, reforms in this direction will come slow, 
as men have been accustomed to hunting for the ])leasure of 
killing from the earliest times, and, of course, it would be 
unreasonable to expect a rapid reformation. Books like that 
of “Animal Rights" by H. S. Salt are logical. The reform 
sought is, however, one for the centuries instead of an age. 
The argument is considered extreme, even to the majority 
of our advanced philanthropists. He argues against the eat- 
ing of all forms of animal life, not because of the cruelty of 
killing, but because it tends to brutalize man and keep us in 
a semi-barbarous state. This argument stands good for the 
coming centuries. The time will probably come when civil- 
ized man will look back with horror on the centuries of ani- 
mal slaughter. 
However, most of us are brought up to meat eating, and 
few of us have to do the killing. Custom is confirmed habit, 
and habit. Prof. James, of Harvard, says, is man, is life 
itself. Some reformers are starting out with the idea of in- 
sisting on the absolute rights of all animals. This is too 
much to work for. Most of the successful crusades end in 
compromise and reformers who do not expect too much, 
accomplish the most. This society has been criticised and 
called inconsistent because we have agreed to the taking of 
birds for scientific purposes. We are said to be favoring a 
few, but then there is something to be considered in the aim 
sought. Besides, it is better to secure a good law, which is 
beneficial to the form of life sought to be protected, and to 
get the support of scientists, than to let matters drift. 
In protecting the wild animals, it is necessary to con- 
sider the customs of sportsmen and make the best com- 
promise possible. By this method you will get strong sup- 
