282 Dr Fleming on the msufflciency of the Evidence for 



ing them in their relations to their habits. Every species has 

 its own appcMnied place, influenced in all cases by latitude, and 

 even sometimes by longitude. The zebra delights to roam 

 over the tropical plains to which it is in a great measure res- 

 tricted ; while the horse can maintain existence even through- 

 out an Iceland winter. The buffalo, like the Zebra, prefers a 

 high temperature, and cannot thrive, even where the common 

 ox prospers. The musk ox, on the other hand, though nearly 

 resembling the buff'alo, prefers the stinted herbage of the arc- 

 tic regions, and is able, by its periodical migrations, to outlive 

 a northern winter. The chacal {Cams aureus) inhabits Africa 

 and the warmer parts of Asia; while the isatis (Can'is lagopus) 

 resides in the arctic regions. Species of the genus felis like- 

 wise inhabit every climate, each limited in geographical distribu- 

 tion. The African hare and the polar hare have their geo- 

 graphical distribution expressed in their trivial names. Ornitho- 

 logy might be called on to furnish examples equally illustrative 

 of the question under discussion. The red grous is confined 

 to the United Kingdom in its geographical distribution, and is a 

 bird which we may consider as pecuharly our own ; while the 

 ptarmigan has a range of dweUing, extending to the higher nor- 

 thern latitude of 74°. 



The resources against the vicissitudes of the seasons, appear 

 to exhibit equally remarkable differences according to the spe- 

 cies. Thus, while the grous braves, unchanged in colour, the 

 rigours of our winter, the ptarmigan assumes a white plumage : 

 while the favourite redbreast spends his winter almost under 

 our immediate protection, the nightingale betakes herself to a 

 warmer climate. The yellow bunting remains with us through- 

 out the year ; the snow bunting only visits us in winter, and re- 

 tires to spend the summer, and rear its young, on the rocks of 

 Greenland. 



From the preceding statements, which might have been extend- 

 ed to an almost indefinite length, the conclusion appears una- 

 voidable, that every species is controlled hy its own peculiar lazvs, 

 and that no acquaintance with one species of a genus, however 

 extensive and accurate, warrants us in predicating concerning 

 the habits and distribution of any other species, even though 

 very striking resemblances in structure and form may prevail. 

 What, then, is the amount of the argument, leading to the belief 



