153 



Such are the only principles, which I think it 

 at all necessary for my present purpose to allude 

 to, regarding the general nature and effect of the 

 motion of the earth in its eliptic orbit, as consti- 

 tuting the revolution of the seasons. It is more 

 consonant to my plan, by an examination of the 

 changes on the earth's surface, to shew the wis- 

 dom, power and beneficence of the Creator, and 

 thus from the contemplation of nature to lead 

 the thoughts up to nature's God. 



When we regard the vegetables and animals 

 distributed over the earth's surface, we find that 

 each species is particularly destined to a certain 

 kind of climate, be that arctic, temperate or tor- 

 rid. In that we find it in its greatest perfection 

 in others, which differ from it, in a degenerate 

 form, and in some, absent and totally unknown. 

 It is curious, however, to observe, that since 

 elevation above the sea produces nearly the same 

 effect on climate, as distance from the equator, 

 that the mountains of the torrid zone being co- 

 vered with eternal snow, are capable of produ- 

 cing, at different points of elevation, almost all 

 the plants of all the different regions. From the 

 greater heat and humidity between the tropics, 

 nature is there more varied, vigorous and luxu- 

 riant ; and, gradually as we recede from this 

 zone, the plants diminish in number, size and 

 beauty, till, on the shores and islands of the arc- 

 tic sea, they either entirely disappear amid the 

 wilderness of frost and desolation, or are reduced 

 to a few stunted shrubs arid mosses, which scarce- 



