90 
RAPTORES. 
mammalia ; a very great proportion of which are 
also nocturnal in their habits, and being chiefly 
herbivorous or frugivorous, would, if allowed to 
overrun, as has been at times experienced, cause 
almost incalculable loss to the cultivators of the 
soil, or nearly clear from the ground those plants 
which are so bountifully supplied for the necessi- 
ties of man, and the support of the ruminating 
animals as well as their own smaller wants. 
We shall now notice the families in detail. 
