2;^6 Instmct. 



lie had least need of doing it. Something Hke this 

 is seen in all the provisions the animal makes for 

 the change of seasons, and in the provisions which 

 Nature makes for him. Physiological action pre- 

 pares his body with a warm coat, as winter ap- 

 proaches. And if his food must fail in winter, and 

 it is of such a kind that he cannot store it up, then 

 Nature brings upon him a sleep, which saves food, 

 and lasts till her table is spread for him again, in 

 spring time. 



The physical systems of animals and their in- 

 stincts then, do have relation to the periodicity of 

 these common, contingent events in the order of 

 nature. They are adjusted to the length of the 

 year, and even to the angle of the ecliptic with the 

 equator. Such a relation is necessary for the very 

 existence of many animals. 



There is no proof that Nature makes any special 

 provision in man for the change of seasons. But 

 she has given to his system a wonderful power of 

 self-adjustment, in meeting changes of climate at 

 all times, with great rapidity. Man was made to 

 have continuous summer or winter, as he might 

 choose, or part of each ; and to learn, by experience, 

 the kind and amount of clothing fitted for him. 

 Mr. Wallace speaks of it as a strong argument 

 against the theory that man originated from the 

 lower animals, by natural selection, that no hair 

 is ever found upon his back, where the longest and 

 most vigorous hair is found upon the lower animals.'^ 



* " Natural Selection," p. 345. 



