70 ANIMALCULA OJ INFUSIONS* Jw 



k will be fo abfolutely, but only relative to the 

 condition of the perfons expofed. With regard 

 to what was fuffered by Middleton and the Dutch 

 in Nova Zembla ; fhut up in huts, they led a 

 quiet and fedentary life, which undoubtedly pro- 

 motes the atlion of cold ; I do not think myfelf 

 miflaken in afHrming, that, well cloathed, and 

 taking plenty of exercife in an open country, 

 they might have braved as irttenfe cold without 

 danger. In the winter nights of our temperate 

 climate, it is fometimes much more than freez- 

 ing, and one expofed to it without any motion 

 w^ould really die ; but preferving fufficient mo- 

 tion, we might fuffer a greater degree. Thus, 

 the Paris academicians, though accuflomed to a 



clitnate 



-'' clofcft carriages, one is fuiJbcated by this piercing cold." 

 Its other eiFcfts are no lefs terrible : rocks and trees are 

 fplit with reports like cannon. There is a perfeft calm^ 

 and fo thick a mift prevails, that nothing can be dif- 

 tlnguifhed a few paces diftant. Magpies, crows, and 

 fparrows fall dead to the earth ; nor are quadrupeds and 

 the human race fecure from danger. 



The pernicious confequence of cold is vifible in all ani- 

 mated nature. Plants are neither fo abundant nor lux- 

 uriant as in the warmer regions. Animals are fewer ; 

 tlicy are lefs diverfified ; and, in general, their fize is 

 fmaller. Something is wanting to expand the organic 

 fyftem ; nay, to create that beauty and variety which are 

 found in the genial temperature of th'i South, and which 

 k is fo pleafiug to behold. — T- 



