CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 361 



of course, be our guide in the classification of animals, so 

 that it may be a natural and not an artificial classifica- 

 tion. In studying nature we should always endeavor to 

 read correctly the traces of the mind of the Creator. 



628. The distribution of animals in the various regions 

 of the earth is a very interesting subject, but my limits 

 will allow of but a brief notice of it. Man is the only 

 animal that is found in every part of the earth. He is 

 thus a cosmopolite, because he has a mind that can con- 

 trive clothing and habitations suitable to every variety 

 of climate. Next to him in general diffusion are some 

 of those animals which are domesticated by him, and also 

 some which follow him and dwell in his habitations, as 

 the mouse, the rat, the fly, etc. Most animals are limited 

 to certain regions, differing, however, in the extent of 

 their diffusion some having a wide range, while others 

 are confined to comparatively narrow limits. Those an- 

 imals which are found in any particular region or coun- 

 try are said to constitute its Fauna, as the flowers found 

 there make up its Flora. We speak of the Faunas of 

 the arctic, the temperate, and the tropic regions. Then, 

 also, we subdivide these into Faunas of portions of these 

 regions of greater or less extent, according to circum- 

 stances. The dividing lines between the different zoo- 

 logical provinces thus marked out are by no means im- 

 passable boundaries, for there is generally a mingling of 

 animals near the borders of two adjacent Faunas. Thus, 

 although the Fauna of the United States and that of the 

 region west of the Rocky Mountains are very distinct, 

 yet these mountains do not effect an entire separation, 

 for some animals of either Fauna are found on both sides 

 of the range. 



629. The Faunas of the arctic region have compara- 

 tively few species, but the number of individuals of each 

 is often immense. Especially is this true of the fishes and 

 the birds. The birds are mostly of the aquatic tribes 

 gulls, cormorants, ducks, petrels, etc. All the animals 



