THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 
41 
into the mouth for undergoing a final mastication. The females are easily tamed; 
they yield an abundance of milk, and instead of fat are supplied with suet. The males, 
which arc less numerous in each species, arc consequently polygamous, and the females 
produce only one or two young ones, which are able to walk from their birth. The 
mammas aro always placed near the abdomen ; the flesh forms a healthy food. Every 
one is acquainted with the immense advantages which Man derives from the domesti- 
cation of these genera, with tho fleeces and skins of the Sheep, Goat, Vicugna, and 
with the leather yielded by tho skins of all the animals of this tribe. Without tho 
Rein-deer, the Polar regions would be uninhabitable by the Laplander and many 
other nations. Without the Horse and Ox, agriculture would be impossible, and nations 
could no longer exist in tlieir present state of (dvilization. Tlic Arab in vain might 
attempt to traverse the Deserts without the aid of the Camel, 
9. Cetacea— Finally, wo arrive at the Cetacea, whose limbs are formed into oars 
or fins. They all live upon the water rather than in it, for they can only breathe 
atmospheric air, and may be drowned by too long an immersion in the water. Tho 
Horbivora, a tribe of aquatic Mammalia, aro analogous in many respects to the Am- 
phibia. • Among them we find the Manatus or Sea-cow, and the Diigong (//a/icore), 
animals which have probably given rise to the accounts of Tritons, Sirens, and Mer- 
men, The Cetacea proper aro moi'e peculiarly aqimtic than the Amphibia, for they 
are never found to rest upon the ground. The female usually produces one or two 
young ones alive in the water, where she gives them the breast, watches over them, 
and supports them when fatigued upon her back and sides. 
GENERAL REVIEW OF THE MAMMALIA CONTINUED. 
Relations to the other Classes — Gradval degeneracy of foim — Fitness for their 
several stations. 
From the brief outline which has been attempted in the preceding sections, it may 
be easily understood that the other Mammalia approximate very closely to Man in 
tiieir general nature, and more especially that portion of them which compose the 
Viviparous Quadrupeds. These form unquestionably tho most important portion of 
the Animal Kingdom, from the similarity of their external sliapcs to our own, the 
superiority of their instincts above all other animals, the meek submission of some lo 
tho force of domestication, and the determined hostility of others to any modification 
of their original habits. 
Their marked reicmblanco to ourselves naturally leads us to view the Quadrupeds, 
And indeed all llic terrestrial Mammalia, with feelings of interest, which the other 
classes of Vertebrated Animals must in vain attempt to elaiui. It is true that we 
Admire the delicacy and lightness exhibited in the forms of most Birds, tho general 
Warmth of their tciuperament, their liveliness, and perpetual motion, which we aro 
Apt to compare to their own airy medium. I'ho Fishes, on the other hand, are natu- 
1‘ally a stupid race, without animation or sensibility; and, like the ocean which serves 
AS their dvvclluig, preserve nearly the same temperature at all times. Their exertions 
Are seen only in etforts to swim, or to satisfy their most pressing necessities ; and 
^at scaly eoveiing which surrounds many of their bodies blunts their sense of touch. 
And renders them more or less insensible to external impressions. On the contrary, 
Quadruped preserves a middle station between tho heights of the atmosphere and 
tlic abysses of the ocean. lie seems to share with Man the sovereignty of the earth, 
And, like him, to exhibit an intermediate character. He neither possesses tho ardour 
And vivacity of the Bird, tlio stupidity of tho Fish, nor the heavy apathy of the Uep- 
^le. Bat, fixed to the firm and dry land, the Quadruped has received a certain 
degree of solidity and firnmess of structure. His walk has not that rapidity which 
characterize.^ tho flight of Birds, or that niiiibleness which we observe in the move- 
»nont8 of the lush; yet his motions do not partake of the laborious dulness ob.scrved 
In the Torloisc, and other Reptiles. His moderate swiftness permits the muscles to 
Act with greater vigour, and allows his faculties time to expand. Indeed, without 
considering Man, the other Mammalia contain beings the most susceptible of intelli- 
gence on tho face of the globe. 
"We have already pointed out the leading characters which btdong to Man, as well 
^ All tho other Mammalia; yet wo must observe, that throughout their entire orders, 
^cm the Bimana to the Cetacea, we may easily trace a kind of gradual departure 
^rom the external form fitted for Man. AVhethcr \vc consider the Monkey tribe in 
their external appearanre, or in their internal organs, wo find the closest resemblance. 
The skeleton, the muscles, and all the internal organs, even lo the ramifications of 
. smallest vessels, present a degree of similarity to Man at once startling and mor- 
tifying. In fact, tho Apes, though forming many distinct genera and species of 
^bctnsclvos, seem but a rongli sketch of human degradation, 'i'he same shades of 
deviation c.in be seen in descending from the Quadrumana to the Cheiroptera, the 
Carnassiers, the Tardigrada, and imlecd througliout idl tho series. Wc must, liow- 
evflr, recollect, that the most important organs, such as those which are the essential 
^Rendants of their internal functions, never change materially. They aro identical 
all the Mammalia, and fulfil their uses in ncAvly the same manner. It is only cx- 
*'Crnally and superficially that this degeneracy of form exhibits itself. Thus, for 
**Ampl(., the hand of Man may he recognized in that of the Ape. In tho Makis it 
^1‘cady begins to appear deformed, and continues to deteriorate through the Hedgehogs, 
Moles, and Bears. It hecoracs a paw, when we arrive at the Dogs. Afterwards 
nails exhibit, in the Sloth, the transition to tho solid hoofs of the Sheep, Sing, 
^^d Ox, and terminate in tho uniform hoof of the Solipeda. Finally, wo find in tho 
ulcs and Dolphins no other vestige than a stump rudely fashioned as an oar. Yet, 
*1^ We open the skin of this part, wo still find the principal bones of the hand and arm, 
in that rudimental form which serves hut to mark ilie wideness of their separation 
tho perfectly-developed hand cf Man. This law of degeneracy is, however, by 
*^0 means invariably adhered to, and wc have intentionally passed over several genera 
ich exhibit marked and decisive exceptions to its generality 
FVem the Quadrumana to the Cetacea we observe a decided contrast to Man in the 
elongation of their muzzles, their general tendency towards the earth, and tho violence 
of their passions, unrestrained like his by the voice of Reason and Conscience. It is 
probable that their enjoyments of sense are more vivid than those of IVlan ; they always 
yield to the present impulse, and are susceptible only in a slight degree of intellec- 
tual improvement. 
It is for action and not for reflection that the Beasts of the earth are designed. 
Their limbs are more robust than those of Man; and this natural vigour is further 
improved in the wild races, especially the Carnivora, by continual exercise. Their 
constant activity increases this muscular vigour, their bodies are more healthy, and 
become more capable of resisting external injury or the mclemcncies of the seasons. 
Nearly the same kind of contrast which wc remark in our own species, between the 
vigorous and thickly-set Mechanic and the delicate and lively Female, may be observed 
between a wild animal of the forest and a robust Man. In proportion as the external 
qualities of the body are improved, sensibility and delicacy of feeling diminish; and 
it would almost appear to be the necessary result of civilization and refinement that 
the muscular vigour of our species should diminish, and that their liability to disease 
should increase. 
However inferior the other Mammalia may be to Man in inlellect, they are of all 
animals the best able to understand his commands. The Birds are not capable of 
holding these intimate relations to ourselves: for, wliatcver degree of intelligence may 
be attributed to the domesticated Parrot or tame Canary-bird, these arc greatly sur- 
passctl by the superior instincts of the Dog, the Beaver, and the Elephant. Still less 
are wc capable of forming modes of connexion with the Reptiles and Fishes, while 
the Mollusca and lower divisions of animated Nature form other natural societies 
in W'liich the influence of Man cannot be felt. In short, his power becomes extensive 
in proportion as the animal approximates to his Nature. We can teach tlie Insect, 
the Fish, or tho Reptile, absolutely nothing; our influence increases over tho Birds; 
but tho other Maminaiia are capable of considerable instruction. They are not mere 
automata, but possess a certain degree of perfectibility. Indeed, the instincts of the 
Mammalia seem to establish an intermediate intelligence between tho Human Soul and 
that mere animal existence enjoyed by the other divisions, whose whole lives are 
absorbed in seeking their food or continuing their species. 
Every animal must necessarily be fitted for the station in which it is placed by 
N aturc. For if, by any accidental or natural event, an animal be placed in a situation 
for which it is unfitted, it will either perish absolutely, or else its original constitution 
will bo modified so as to correspond accurately with its new condition. Thus the 
animals of tlic torrid zone are supplied with a very slight coat of hair, as we see 
in tho BarLary Dog, and the Apes; while under the frigid zone they exhibit the 
warmest and thickest furs, as in the Sable (Mustela zibcUinaJ, the Bears, and the 
Arctic Fox ( Ca7tis lagopusj. 
This adaptation to surrounding circumstances is found equally in their senses, their 
means of defence, the greater or less swiftness of their movements, and the ferocity or 
mildness of their dispositions. 
Though all tho Mammalia possess five senses, they do not enjoy each sense with 
the same degree of intensity. Those- species which dwell in the mountains, like the 
Chamois (Antilope rvpicnpTa)^ and the Ibex (Capra ibea^), whose flight is rapid, 
and which load a w'andering life, are far-sighted; on the conti-ary, the heavy animals 
dwelling in the valleys, like the Hogs ami Rhinoceroses, are near-sighted. Those again 
whose eyes are too delicate for the full blaze of daylight, come from their dens only 
at night, or in tho twilight, like the Bats, or else conceal themselves in the earth 
like the Armadilloes and Hedgehogs. The more timid and feeble races make a 
greater use of their oars tlian of their eyes; the Hare, the Rabbit, the Jerboa, the 
Mouse, and other Rodentia, raise their cars at the slightest noise, preparatory to 
flight; but the more powerful and courageous races, such as tho Lion, the Tiger, the 
Lynx, and other Cats, endowed with a keen and piercing sight even at night, have 
their cars small and their hearing imUstluct. Thus the feebleness of one sense is 
made up by the perfection of another, just as in Man, when accidenl deprives him of 
sight, the sense of hearing bccomos more acute. The power of smell, in the Mam- 
malia, alw ays refers to their proper food or to their ow'ii species. A dog, whicli finds 
no pleasure Irum the scent of the Tuberose or the Carnation, will discover tho female 
of his own .species, or tlie (Mrease of another animal, at an immense distance. With 
the Carnivorous animals the sense of taste bccomos a fierce and sanguinary appetite; 
with the Herbivorous tribes it possesses an equal sensibility in distinguishing the 
nutritious plant from the poisonous weed. 
The same adaptation to their wants and enjoyments is found in the general form of 
their limbs. “ In some," observes Goldsmith, “ they are made for strength only, 
and lo support, avast unwieldy frame, without much flexibility or beautiful proportion. 
Thus the legs of the Elephant and Uliinoceros resemble pillars; were they made 
smaller they would he unfit to support the body; were they endowed with greater 
flexibility or »wiftnt:.ss, they would be needless, as they do not pursue other animals for 
food; and, conscious of their owm superior strength, there are none that they deign lo 
avoid. Deer, Hares, and other creatures tliat .ue to find safety in flight, have their 
legs made entirely for speed; they aro slender and nervous. Wore it not for this 
advantage, every carnivorous animal would soon make them a prey, and their races 
would be entirely extinguished. But in their present state of nature, the means of 
safety are rather superior to those of oflence, and the pursuing animal must owe suc- 
cess only to patience, perseverance, and industry. The feet of souio that live unon 
fish alone aro made for swimming. The toes of these animals are joined togetner 
with membranes, being web-footed like a goose or duck, by which they swim with 
great rapidity. Those animals that lead a life of hostility, and live upon others, have 
their feet armed with sharp claw's, which some can sheath and unshcath at will. 
Those, on the contrary, who lead peaceful lives, have generally hoofs, which serve as 
weapons of defence, and which in all are better fitted for traversing extensive tracts 
of rugged country, than the claw-foot of their pursuers. 
In obedience to the same universal law of adaptation, we find that the Armadilloes 
and Manis, which are destitute of teeth, find a counterbalancing defence in their 
horny cuirass or scales. In |bo Porcupine and Hedgehog, which are in other respects 
