HISTORY OF VERMONT. 131 



Polecat 



Hare 



Rabbit 



Weasel 



Ermine 



f Ijdng Squirrel 



Beaver 



Otter 



From this comparison it appears, that every- 

 one of these animals, is larger in America, than 

 it is in Europe. The inference is clear, and 

 decisive : It is in America, and not in Europe^ 

 that these quadrupeds of a cold climate, attain 

 their greatest magnitude, and highest perfection. 



If the comparison should be made, between 

 the quadrupeds of the torrid zone, the reverse 

 will be found to be the case. The elephant, 

 the rhinoceros of Asia, are much larger than 

 the quadrupeds of Peru and Brasil. The truth 

 is, America is the most favourable to the pro- 

 ductions, and growth, of the quadrupeds of cold 

 climates : Asia is the most favourable to the 

 productions, and growth of the quadrupeds of 

 a hot climate. But the greatest of all animals, 

 the Mammoth, was not an animal of the torrid, 

 but of the temperate zone ; and was the pro- 

 duction of both countries, of Asia, and of A» 

 merica. 



Temper and Disposition. Most ani- 

 mals have a particular disposition and character 

 assigned to them by nature, indelibly fixed, and 

 which distinguishes the whole species. Thus 

 some arc naturally iierce, sanguinarv, and car- 



