64 ORIGIN OF THE 



for their subsistence; and it is an established 

 axiom, that the organization of every species 

 of animal is adapted to the situation in which it 

 is placed. 



Again; we may well suppose, that the tem- 

 perature of the water, being imparted to the hu- 

 mid atmosphere, (for evaporation would be then 

 much more rapid than at present,) would pro- 

 duce a climate altogether unfit for the residence 

 of animals and plants which are now found in 

 the temperate and frigid zones, but would be 

 perfectly adapted to those gigantic animals and 

 plants fitted by Nature for the habitation assigned 

 them. We know that tropical climates now pro- 

 duce plants and animals more abundantly, and 

 much larger, than those of a lower temperature. 

 We know, too, that the incipient development 

 of the embryo of animals, as well as the germi- 

 nation of plants, requires a uniform temperature, 

 accompanied by humidity ; and we are not aware 



