Maintenance of their common Family, which cannot ſubſiſt till they are able to prey for themſelves, but by the joint Care of Male and Female. The ſame is to be obſerved in all Birds (except ſome domeſtick ones, where plenty of Food excuſes the Cock from feeding and taking care of the Young Brood) whoſe Young needing Food in the Neſt, the Cock and Hen continue Mates till the Young are able to uſe their Wing, and provide for themſelves.
And herein I think lies the chief, if not the only reaſon, why the Male and Female in Mankind are tyed to a longer Conjunction than other Creatures, viz. Becauſe the Female is capable of conceiving, and de facto is commonly with Child again, and brings forth to a new Birth long before the former is out of a Dependency for Support on his Parents help, and able to ſhift for himſelf, and has all the Aſſiſtance is due to him from his Parents, whereby the Father, who is bound to take care for thoſe he hath begot, is under an Obligation to continue in Conjugal Society with the ſame Woman longer than other Creatures, whoſe Young be-
