ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, &C. 263 



black colour of these tribes entirely depends. It 

 does not exist in Europeans. 



Stimulus. 



To use the least quantity of stimulus that will pre- 

 serve the body in healthy action, is an excellent 

 maxim, applicable to the mind as well as to the body. 

 Every excitement has its consequent lassitude and 

 languor. 



Scent. 



Scent in hunting depends chiefly on two things, 

 the condition of the ground, and the temperature of 

 the air, which should be moist without being wet. 

 When both are in this state, the scent is said to be 

 perfect. When the ground is hard and dry, there 

 will scarcely be any scent, and it hardly ever lies 

 with a north or an east wind. A southerly wind with- 

 out rain, ancf a westerly one that is not rough, are 

 the best; a day warm without sun is a perfect one. 

 In some fogs the scent lies high ; in others not at all. 



On the nicest examination, no proof has ever been 

 found of a hare's sweating, any more than a cat or 

 dog. 



Specifics. 



The example of Cinchona in intermittents, and of 

 mercury in syphilis, show that there are in nature 

 substances with specific powers. But be it remem- 

 bered that the experience of more than 3000 years 

 has only discovered these two, and even the first still 

 doubtful, unless to these we add the use of sulphur 

 for the itch. Their operation, also, is so utterly in- 

 explicable, that their effect may be regarded as a 

 species of miracle. 



Antidotes. 



The progress of knowledge has demonstrated that 

 there are no such things as antidotes against poison, 

 and never were. 



