GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. ITS 



is that England exceeds other countries of Europe 

 in the extent of its Fauna, irrespectively of the ani- 

 mals furnished by the sea around it ; while Portugal, 

 from its deficiency of shelter, and consequently of 

 food for small birds. Sec, is deficient also in the whole 

 series. Nevertheless, even the countries almost des- 

 titute of vegetable growth, or at least of trees, contain 

 some kinds of birds; and certain crudely-reasoning 

 philosophers, not perceiving the dependence above 

 stated, have affirmed that the birds of these countries 

 (which they believe to be equally well inhabited with 

 those abundantly wooded) are obhged to roost on 

 the ground. Now such birds as they see so roosting, 

 are those which would do so did they inhabit the 

 Garden of Eden itself. Norway and Lapland are 

 stated to enjoy a more temperate climate than any 

 other countries in the same latitude ; they are likewise 

 well wooded, and certainly the Fauna of those coun- 

 tries agrees well with this statement. 



The wise contrivances, evinced in creation, relative 

 to the supply of food for the subsistence of the car- 

 nivorous tribes, have not been in the least interfered 

 with, except by the progress of the civilization of 

 man. In every portion of the globe the presence of 

 a carnivorous bird, quadruped, or fish indicates, un- 

 deviatingly, the existence of less powerful or less de- 

 signing creatures in the immediate neighbourhood ; 

 and, vice versa ; the presence of animals of small size 

 or power, especially if very productive, implies an 

 appetite at hand to lessen their numbers ; whilst, 

 lest the race should become extinct, the predatory 

 animal itself has been endowed with powers of pro- 

 creation very limited. It is stated by Dr. Kidd, that 

 there are probably myriads of species of animals ; 

 and that one hundred thousand species have been 

 ascertained and described by naturalists. Now as 

 to the general distribution of these, it is well known 

 that they are by far the most numerous in tropical 

 regions : and indeed gradually diminish towards the 

 Poles. It is probable that there is no portion of our 



