342 



winter, than in summer. Accordingly (as stated in the text), the fur- 

 bcarin£T animals all inhal)it high latitudes, and the value of their skins 

 increases, in proportion to the severity of the cold, in which they are 

 kiUed. 



Of the natural clothing of animals in cold countries, the musk ox of 

 Melville Island, as observed by late voyagers, furnishes a striking 

 instance ; as the immense mass of non-conducting matter, which covers 

 that animal, renders him capable of existing in a temperature, where 

 even mercury freezes, and of which we can form no adequate con- 

 ception. The long, hairy, and dense garb of the Kamtschatka mam- 

 moth, that most powerful of quadrupeds, embalmed in ice, sufficiently 

 proves the nature of such a coat, as enabled him to live in the coldest 

 latitudes ; and which the elephant of tropical birth, with his unprotected 

 hide, could not certainly have endured. In the same way, between the 

 tropics, were the trunks of trees not defended from the downward and 

 burning rays of the sun, by a thick, expanded, and umbrageous foliage, 

 there is reason to think, that their bark would be scorched, and severely 

 injured: While the same vertical rays harmlessly descend on the 

 woolly head of the Negro ; who, without that light and natural turban, 

 would, like the defenceless European, often fall a victim to the " stroke 

 of the sun :" coup de soldi I wll not call it, because the phenomenon 

 is just as well and clearly expressed in our own language. 



Note VI. Page 102. 



Aristotle, who enjoyed the double honour of being the father of 

 Natural History, as well as of Metaphysics, intimates that nature 

 bestows not, on either animals or vegetables, any thing in vain ; that, 

 while she wisely effects her purposes by the etisiest and most direct 

 methods, she withdraws the interposition of the agents, as soon as their 

 office becomes superfluous. This principle is exemplified in no instance 

 better than in trees, and in their uniform possession of properties, which 

 are best adapted to their peculiar circumstances. 



Note VII. Page 104. 



The great and leading doctrine with the i)lanters of England, respect- 

 ing the Removal of Trees, seems to be, that " old trees and young 

 possess similar properties ; therefore, they should be removed on similar 

 principles ;" which principles, as they sanction the unnecessary retrench- 

 ment of both the tojis and roots of young plants, the same retrenchment 



