96 STUDIES OF^iîATURE. 



We fliall, likewife, rejeâ: thofe analogies. To 

 commonly admitted, which are drawn from cli- 

 mate and foil, in order to explain all the opera- 

 tions of Nature by mechanical caufes ; for I fhall 

 demonftrate, that (he frequently produces in thefe, 

 both vegetables and animals, whofe qualities are 

 diametrically oppofite to thofe of their climate and 

 foil. 



The tubulous and dried plants, fuch as reeds, 

 ruflies, as well as the birch, whofe bark, fimilar to 

 leather overlaid with oil, is incorruptible by humi- 

 dity, grow by the water fides, like boats provided 

 for croffing over. On the contrary, plants with 

 the richefb juices, and the moft humid, grow in 

 the drieft lituations, fuch as the aloe, the taper of 

 Peru, and the lianne impregnated with water; 

 which are to be found only on the parched rocks 

 of the torrid Zone, where Nature has placed them 

 like fo many vegetable fountains. 



Even the inftinfls of animals appear to be lefs 

 adapted to their own perfonal utility, than to that 

 of Man ; and are fometimes in harmony with the 

 nature of the foil which they inhabit, and fome- 

 times in oppofition to it. The gluttonous hog 

 delights to live in the mire, from which he is in- 

 tended to purify the habitation of Man ; and the 



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