GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS IN SOUTH UEVON. 89 



mens of tlie rarest birds are exhibited in triumph. 

 On the other hand, some few examples might be 

 mentioned of our fauna being increased by the influ- 

 erice of an unusually hot or fine summer: these 

 chiefly occur in the lower classes, though it is not 

 unlikely that those birds — straggling visitants, which 

 come to us only in summer from other countries — 

 are actuated by the same cause. Altogether, the 

 subject of the migration of animals resident in, or 

 connected otherwise with, this neighbourhood is 

 very important : every natural law, and every acci- 

 dental cause of it, is here instanced ; whether it be 

 the periodical and annual visits of the feathered 

 tribes from other nations, the periodical movements 

 of certain resident species, or the irregular visitations 

 of some exotic kinds. The consideration also of the 

 various consequences attendant on the varied mani- 

 festations of climate is both useful and interesting ; 

 whether they be the specimens conferred on us by the 

 violence of the storm, the duration of a sea wind, the 

 iticlemency of a winter, a tropical Summer, a season 

 of continued rain, a long drought, or, lastly, by the 

 siccity or humidity of the atmosphere : each of these 

 seems to possess a power in itself of adding some- 

 what to the fauna of South Devon. 



The next physical condition of this county, for 

 our contemplation is its geographical situation, rela- 

 tion and arrangement : we here perceive at once 

 another reason why our fauna is so extensive. The 

 circumstance which contributes most to this, is of 

 course our connection with the sea ; next in impor- 

 tance to which, is the variation in the soil and its 

 products, and the varied terraqueous arrangements 

 of the country generally. We must likewise take 

 into account our relative position with respect to 

 America, the continent of Europe, both as to its 

 northern and southern states, and lastly our relation 

 to Ireland, and certain other islands. In taking a 

 comprehensive view of the geographical arrangements 

 of the south of Devonshire, we cannot but remark 

 VOL. VII.— 1836. M 



