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SURVEYS OF NATURE, 



PART THE THIRD. 



IN confiderlng the inhabitants of the globe, we muft doubt- 

 lefs place Man the firft, in rank, and coniequence, if we 

 regard merely the animal part of his compofition, wherein, 

 nevcrthelefs, in common with animals of all kinds, he is fubjeck 

 to variations, arifing from local circumftauces, climate, manner 

 of life, cuftoms, and nutriment ; thefe variations are not fo 

 diftind, or indelible, as may induce us to difallow one common 

 origin ; yet they are fufficiently flriking, to juftify particular 

 notice. We proceed therefore to offer fuch remarks as occuf 

 on this fubje£t, and fuch general information on the nature 

 of animals, and their manners, as may juftify our principles. 



It fhould feem, that, according to the rank of creatures in 

 the fcale of life, was their fubjedion to variation : thofe of the 

 lower degrees changing mod from their priftine ftock, thofe 

 of greatefl fecundity changing fomething at each generation, 

 while creatures of greater bulk, longer life, or fuperior fa- 

 culties, lefs affeded by thefe caufes, maintained a nearer 

 refemblaace to the forms, manners, and properties of their 

 parental origin. According to this idea we may expe£t plants 

 to vary greatly from fimilar plants in their native cli- 

 mates (efpeclally in their powers), Infedls, Reptiles, fmaller 

 Part III. A. Quadrupeds, 



