THE SEASON WHY. 307 



" Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart ; so doth the sweetness of a man's 

 friend by hearty counsel." PKOVEBBS xxvu. 



perfume ; and it is also found in the wood of a few trees, such as the 

 sassafras and the sandal- wood j the bark frequently yields an oily 



secretion. 



The London and North "Western Railway Company alone use about 60,000 

 gallons of oil yearly. 



1205. Why are fat and oil found most abundantly in the 

 bodies of animals in cold climates ? 



Because they contribute to keep the bodies of animals warm, 

 not only by their non-conducting property keeping in the heat of 

 the aniinals, but by supplying carbon abundantly to combine with 

 oxygen during respiration, and thereby developing animal heat. 



1206. Why are oil and fat-forming trees found most 

 abundantly in hot climates ? 



Because, in hot countries, the formation of large quantities of fat 

 in animal bodies would oppress living creatures with heat ; fats and 

 oils are, therefore, produced in those countries chiefly by vegetables, 

 and are used externally by the Asiatics and Africans as an external 

 unction for cooling the skin, and as perfumes which give inspiriting 

 properties to the air, rendered oppressive by excess of heat. 



1207. Why are succulent fruits most abundant in tropical 

 climates ? 



Because they are rendered necessary in those climates by the 

 excessive heat, and are found to have a most beneficial effect in 

 cooling, purifying the blood of the inhabitants of tropical countries ; 

 while the grandeur of their foliage, and the richness of their flowers, 

 are in perfect keeping with the intensity of light and heat, and 

 serve, by throwing dense shades over the earth, to cool its surface, 

 and to offer to living creatures a pleasant retreat from the rays of 

 the burning sun. 



The following sketch of Botanical Geography should, be read attentively after 

 the reader has gone through the whole of the Chapters of " Reasons." The 

 technical terms employed in the course of the article are nearly all explained at 

 1212. and should be committed to memory at the commencement of the perusal. 

 Mimosa means a sensitive plant ; concentric zones, circular lines spreading from 

 a centre ; arborescent, resembling trees ; Graminece, grass-like. The botanical 

 names represent individual plants. 



1208. \Vhen treating of the geographical distribution of vegetables, we have to 

 mark the general arrangements indicated, and the agencies that have evidently 



