The Island of Dr. Moreau help me with homework: There are few female beings in the novel

There are few female beings in the novel. Do they (the puma, the Bear-Vixen, and the other Beast Women) represent a female essence any more or less than the various male beings represent a male essence, or is sex generally irrelevant to the novel? Does it make sense to draw out a statement about women or feminism from the female beings and their relationship with the males?