DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS. 



of colder climates might have journeyed towarub 

 instead of from them. Besides, taking into con- 

 sideration other motives, from casual circum- 

 stances, that might have induced different 

 individuals belonging to the same climates to 

 pursue different routes, they might be misled 

 by cupidity, or dislike, or fear. On no other 

 principle, can we explain the adaptation of their 

 organization to the state and productions of the 

 country in which we find them I speak of local 

 species but that of a Supreme Power, who 

 formed and furnished the country, organized 

 them for it, and guided them into it. 



There is another question relating to local 

 animals which here requires some notice. Are 

 they really distinct species ? Have not the cha- 

 racters which separate them from their affinities 

 been produced, in the course of years, by pecu- 

 liar circumstances in which they are placed, such 

 as climate, temperature, nature of the country, 

 food, and the like? Every person who knows 

 any thing of the history of animals must admit, 

 that great changes do take place in them from the 

 long action of these causes. For instance, some 

 varieties of the common ox are polled, having 

 only rudiments of horns ; others have very short 

 and others very long ones ; in some they are not 

 fixed to the skull, but attached to the skin, and 

 moveable with it. The same thing, likewise, 

 takes place with sheep ; some have no horns, 



