THE EARTH. 277 



a modern philosopher, sustain an unceasing lan- 

 guor from the heats of their climate, and are 

 torpid in the midst of profusion. For this reason, 

 the great disposer of nature has clothed their coun- 

 try with trees of an amazing height, whose shade 

 might defend them from the beams of the sun ; 

 and whose continual freshness might, in some 

 measure, temperate their fierceness. From these 

 shades, therefore, the air receives refreshing mois- 

 ture, and animals a cooling protection. The whole 

 race of savage animals retire, in the midst of the 

 day, to the very centre of the forests, not so much 

 to avoid their enemy man, as to find a defence 

 against the raging heats of the season. This ad- 

 vantage, which arises from shade in torrid cli- 

 mates, may probably afford a solution for that ex- 

 traordinary circumstance related by Boyle, which 

 he imputes to a different cause. In the island of 

 Ternate, belonging to the Dutch, a place that 

 had been long celebrated for its beauty and health- 

 fulness, the clove trees grew in such plenty that 

 they in some measure lessened their own value ; 

 for this reason the Dutch resolved to cut down 

 the forests, and thus to raise the price of the com- 

 modity ; but they had soon reason to repent of 

 their avarice ; for such a change ensued by cut- 

 ting down the trees, that the whole island, from 

 being healthy and delightful, having lost its charm- 

 ing shades, became extremely sickly, and has ac- 

 tually continued so to this day. Boerhaave con- 

 sidered heat so prejudicial to health, that he was 

 never seen to go near a fire. 



