INTRODUCTION. 
It 
wished with such a defence. The armadillo might 
be referred^ though very improperly, to the tribe 
of insects, or snails, being, like them, covered 
with a shell ; the seal and the morse might be 
ranked among the fishes, like them being fur- 
nished with fins, and almost constantly residing 
in the same element* 
\ i 
But although the variety in quadrupeds is thus 
great, they all seem well adapted to the stations 
in which they are placed. There is scarce one of 
them, how rudely shaped soever, that is not formed 
to enjoy a state of happiness fitted to its nature. 
All its deformities are only relative to us, but all 
its enjoyments are peculiarly its own. We may 
superficially suppose the sloth, that takes up many 
days in climbing"a single tree, or the mole, whose 
eyes are too small for distinct vision, are wretched 
and helpless creatures ; but it is probable that 
their life, with respect to themselves, is a life of 
luxury ; the most pleasing food is easily obtained ; 
and, as they are abridged in one pleasure, it may 
be doubled in those which remain. Quadrupeds* 
and all the lower kinds of animals, have, at worst, 
but the torments of immediate evil to encounter, 
and this is but transient and accidental ; man has 
two sources of calamity, that which he foresees, 
as well as that which he feels ; so that, if his re- 
wards were to be in this life alone, then, indeed* 
would he be of all beings the most wretched. 
The heads of quadrupeds, though differing 
fe 
