PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 359 



May 1, 1861. 



Professor Cyrus Mason in the chair. 



The Influence of Climate on Invention was the subject set down 

 for discussion at this meeting. 



Mr. Mason having introduced this topic, opened by reading the 

 following paper : 



Man received the earth, with its various climates, as a gift, 

 from his Creator ; but upon condition that he should adapt it for 

 his use, and furnish it out of the raw materials provided to his 

 hands. Near the equator his task is light; his wants are few 

 and easily supplied ; but as he advances towards the poles his 

 wants increase ; and during the long winters of some climates 

 they become so many, and so painful, that they govern his whole 

 course of life. His wants are his severe task-masters, and he 

 eludes them only through his ingenuity. His need of inventions 

 is measured by the severity of his climate, and his motives for 

 making them grow stronger, the nearer he approaches the limit 

 beyond which he is unable, by all his exertions, to attain a 

 prosperous and cheerful existence. 



Inventions of one class have occupied men in every degree of 

 latitude, from the equator to the polar regions, namely, those of 

 contrivances to make a climate better suited to the preservation 

 of persons and property than the general climate of the country 

 they inhabit. The naked race, found by Columbus near the 

 equator, had contrived cellars to keep their fruits dry and cool 

 during the rainy season, and huts above ground to preserve their 

 persons from dangerous moisture. By comparing these simple 

 contrivances with the inventions made and in progress in our 

 climate for similar purposes, we shall see that the ingenuity of 

 each people generally rises to the measure of the wants of that 

 people, and no higher. But we are laboring to this hour, and 

 more earnestly than ever, to perfect our processes for making 

 artificial climates, for summer and for winter, around our persons 

 and the objects that minister to our enjoyment. 



A description of the inventions which are employed in making 

 the best house for our climate, and adapting it to winter and 

 summer use, would fill a volume ; and yet, there are thousands of 

 ingenious men still at work on contrivances for improving many- 

 parts of the process. 



The single operation of lighting up our long winter evening 

 has induced more inventions than ever were thought of within 

 the tropics, where they scarcely need an evening light. 



