LONGEVITY OF ANIMALS. 
127 
supposed that the length of animal life was in proportion 
to its duration in utero, or the space it remained in the 
parent from conception to birth, and the length of time 
it required to obtain maturity. This notion might have 
some support in reason and fact, occasionally, but in 
many cases was incorrect, and in regard to birds had no 
foundation. Herbivorous animals probably live longer 
than carnivorous ones, vegetable food being most easily 
obtainable in all seasons in a regular and requisite sup- 
ply ; whereas animals that subsist on flesh, or by the 
capture of prey, are necessitated at one period to pine 
without food, and at another are gorged with superfluity : 
and when the bodily powers of rapacious creatures be- 
come impaired, existence is difficult to support, and 
gradually ceases; but with herbivorous animals in the 
same condition, supply is not equally precarious, or 
wholly denied. Yet it is probable that few animals in 
a perfectly wild state live to a natural extinction of life. 
In a state of domestication, the small number of car- 
nivorous creatures about us are sheltered and fed with 
care, seldom are in want of proper food, and at times 
are permitted to await a gradual decay, continuing as 
long as nature permits ; and by such attentions many 
have attained to a great age ; but this is rather an arti- 
ficial than a natural existence. Our herbivorous ani- 
mals, being kept mostly for profit, are seldom allowed 
to remain beyond approaching age ; and when its ad- 
vances trench upon our emoluments by diminishing the 
supply of utility, we remove them. The uses of the 
horse, though time may reduce them, are often protract- 
ed ; and our gratitude for past services, or interest in 
what remains, prompts us to support his life by prepared 
food of easy digestion, or requiring little mastication, 
and he certainly by such means attains to a longevity 
probably beyond the contingencies of nature. I have 
still a favorite pony — -for she has been a faithful and 
able performer of all the duties required of her in my 
service for upwards of two-and-twenty years — and, 
though now above five-and-twenty years of age, retains 
all her powers perfectly, without any diminution or 
symptom of decrepitude; the fineness of limb, bril- 
