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 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 domestic
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.
Sec. 80. And herein I think lies the chief, if not the only
reason, why the male and female in mankind are tied 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 too 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 being able to subsist of themselves, before the time
of procreation returns again, the conjugal bond dissolves of
itself, and they are at liberty, till Hymen at his usual
anniversary season summons them again to chuse new mates.
Pages:
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76