152 USEFULNESS OF ANIMALS TO MAN. 
(stomoxys calcitrans), that loves to bask on stones and 
posts, and which is now biting my legs with the most 
teasing perseverance. But this phlebotomist has not 
the same attachment to our habitations, is a more soli- 
tary insect, and does not unite in those little social 
parties, that circle for hours in a sober uniformity of 
flight below the ceilings of our chambers. Wherever 
man appears, this house fly is generally to be seen too : 
and instances are known, when islands have been 
taken possession of very far removed from the main 
land, that for a time no flies were visible, yet ere long 
these little domestic insects have made their appearance ; 
neither natives of the isle, nor can we reasonably sup- 
pose them to have taken flight from a distant shore ; but 
probably the offspring of parents that came with the 
stores in the vessel of the party. 
We may have some few other instances of these ap- 
parent dependences of animals on man ; yet, if we con- 
sider the relative situations of both, we shall find them 
existing, with very few exceptions, independent of him, 
and that he is more indebted to them for their services, 
than they are for his protection and support. Man 
from the earliest periods began to subject the animal 
world to his dominion, and avail himself of its properties 
and powers to improve his own condition. As his wants 
or propensities occurred, he compelled to his aid such 
animals as he could subdue, or were adapted to his pur- 
poses. The chief objects for which we require the aid 
of animals are for food, clothing, vigilance, and strength. 
Though the two former are highly essential to our com- 
forts, they are not indispensable ; the vegetable world 
supplies them in abundance to large portions of the in- 
habitants of the globe, and the companionable qualities, 
watchfulness, and swiftness of the dog might be dis- 
pensed with. It is the strength of animals that makes 
us sensible of our own weakness. By their power we 
build our dwellings, effect an intercourse with distant 
places, obtain much of our food, and the fuel of our 
hearths : a state of civilization requires, as an indispen- 
sable requisite, these things and others, rendering most 
manifest our obligations to the animal world. Animals 
