Distribution of British Animals. 289 
lions, — the hours at which they feed, the periods of their re- 
pose, and the season of the year at which they bring forth their 
young. Guided by his experience, he commences his attack 
with such effect, that the resources of the antagonist are gene- 
rally insufficient to provide a defence, or secure a retreat. But 
he has other wants to provide for besides those connected with 
his supply of food. The skins of animals, with but little pre- 
paration, afford him comfortable clothing , a covering to his tent, 
or a water-proof casement for his boat ; while their fat supplies 
fuel for his lamp, or an ointment for his skin. 
The savage does not, however, confine himself in his hunting 
parties to the graminivorous animals. The carnivorous kinds are 
equally the objects of his anxious pursuit. Many of these dare to 
wage war with himself,— -to dispute a track through the forest, 
or mountain gorge, or fearlessly and successfully rush into per- 
sonal combat The extermination of such opponents is pursued 
as a measure of safety. But the animals that thus readily make 
their prey of the savage himself, in company with many others, 
less powerful, pursue the graminivorous kinds, divide the prize 
with him, or bear it away. The savage thus carries on a war 
against the graminivorous animals, chiefly to procure food 
and raiment ; while he no less zealously endeavours to destroy 
the carnivorous kinds, as endangering his personal safety, or in- 
terfering with the objects of his pursuit. 
When man emerges from his rudest, or merely hunting state, 
to the pastoral condition of society, his attacks on the gramini- 
vorous animals are not less keenly or successfully conducted ; 
while those which he has reclaimed by his sagacity, require a 
great share of his attention. These have their natural provi- 
sions against danger greatly reduced by domestication ; and 
consequently require for their safety the protection of their own- 
ers. To secure this safety, man is led to carry on a more vi- 
gorous war against all those carnivorous kinds which he former- 
ly persecuted, and perhaps others which he now finds disturb 
or kill the young of his herds. If he rises from the pastoral to 
the agricultural state of society, he finds that the enemies of his 
fields are equally numerous with those of his flocks ; that the ca- 
talogue of his foes has become greatly extended ; and that he 
VOL. XI. no. 22 . OCT. 1824 . 
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