130 



NATURAL AND CIVIL 



attain its proper perfection. The lion would 

 lose its fierceness, and perish, if it was removed 

 to Lapland ; and the reindeer would diminish, 

 and die, if it was carried to the sandy deserts of 

 Africa. In those climates onlv, to which na- 

 ture has adapted each animal, will it attain its 

 greatest magnitude, and most perfect form. 

 The animal, to which nature has thus assigned 

 its proper constitution, and climate, must be 

 preserved and sup])orted by proper food, or 

 nourishment. A deficiency here, will bring on 

 leanness, impotenc)'-, a diminution of size, and 

 a gradual waste and consumption of the \\'holc 

 species. But when the climate, and the food, 

 are both suited to the natural constitution of the 

 animal, their joint influence will produce the 

 greatest size or magnitude, that species will ad- 

 mit. 



By comparing the magnitudes of such quad- 

 rupeds in Europe, and in America, as are com- 

 mon to both, and derive their support from the 

 hand of nature, we shall of consequence have 

 another comparative view of the vigour and 

 force, to which animated nature arrives, in eacii 

 country. Several of those quadrupeds, vvliosc 

 weight has been ascertained in Vermont, M. 

 Buiion has given us the weight of in Europe. 

 They are these, 



Vk'"tiglit in Europe.' 

 lb. cz. 



153 7 



69 8 



288 8 



13 5 



2 2 



1 9 



The Bear 

 Wolf 

 Deer 



Fox, red 

 Porcupine 

 * ^Martin * 



Weight in Vennont. 

 lb. oz. ■ 



456 



92 

 308 



20 



16 

 5 4. 



