INFLUENCE OF FOOD. 157 



Wide o'er the isles the brandling Oronoque 

 Rolls a brown deluge,and the native drives 

 To dwell aloft on lite-sufficing trees, 

 At once his dome, his robe, his food, and arms." 



In countries where man lives upon corn, which requires 

 much labour and much ground in order to bring it to perfection, 

 he congregates in villages and towns; but, in South America 

 the isolated situation of the, cabins, affords a striking proof 

 of the fruitfulness of nature. One acre of bananas yields more 

 than twelve times the alimentary substance contained in the 

 same space of corn; thus the richness of the soil, while it 

 multiplies the means of subsistence, retards the progress of 

 civilisation, for each family becomes an isolated people, and, 

 consequently, does not make that advance in knowledge 

 which only takes place when society becomes more numerous, 

 and mankind more intimate. 



ESTHER. 



This solitary mode of life must foster a strong feeling of 

 independence and liberty! 



MRS. F. 



Undoubtedly it does; but, as I before remarked, it is curious 

 to observe how a series of physical and moral causes should 

 occasion the choice of alimentary plants to influence, as it 

 does, at the same time, three important objects the associa- 

 tion or isolation of families, the progress or retardment of 

 civilisation, and the individual character of the scenery.* 



FREDERICK. 



Aunt, what is this small plant in a pot 1 ? 



MRS. F. 

 It is the celebrated JRose of Jericho. 



HENRIETTA. 



I never heard of this plant; will you tell us something 

 about it? 



* Humboldt's Voyage, vol. iii. 

 14 



