Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/304

and Female, being not barely Procreation, but the Continuation of the Species: this Conjunction between Male and Female ought to laſt, even after Procreation, ſo long as is neceſſary to the Nouriſhment and Support of the young Ones, who are to be ſuſtained by thoſe who got them, till they are able to ſhift and provide for themſelves. This Rule, which the infinite wiſe Maker hath ſet to the Works of his Hands, we find the inferior Creatures ſteadily obey. In thoſe viviparous Animals which feed on Graſs, the Conjunction between Male and Female laſts no longer than the very Act of Copulation; becauſe the Teat of the Dam being ſufficient to nouriſh the Young, till it be able to feed on Graſs, the Male only begets, but concerns not himſelf for the Female or Young, to whoſe Suſtenance he can contribute nothing. But in Beaſts of Prey the Conjunction laſts longer; becauſe the Dam not being able well to ſubſiſt herſelf, and nouriſh her numerous Off-ſpring by her own Prey alone, a more laborious, as well as more dangerous way of living than by feeding on Graſs; the Aſſiſtance of the Male is neceſſary to the