MAN NATURALLY OMNIVOROUS. 191 



calculated to avert or remove disease ? Whether errors iu 

 quantity or quality are most pernicious ? The solution of 

 these and other analogous questions can only be expected 

 from experimental investigation. Mankind are so averse 

 to relinquish their favourite Indulgences, and to desert esta- 

 blished habits, that we cannot entertain very sanguine ex- 

 pectations of any important discovery in this department : 

 we must add to this, that there are many other causes 

 affecting human health besides diet. Before venturing to 

 draw any inferences on a subject beset with so many obsta- 

 cles, It would be necessary to observe the effects of a purely 

 animal and a purely vegetable diet on several individuals of 

 different habits, pursuits, and modes of life ; to note their 

 state, both bodily and mental ; and to learn the condition 

 of two or three generations fed in the same manner. 



Recurring to the subject which has been already ad- 

 verted to — the extension of the great human family over 

 the wliole habitable globe — let us inquire a little into the 

 causes of a phenomenon, which so remarkably distinguishes 

 man from all animals ; — this power of existing and multi- 

 plying in every latitude, and in every variety of situation 

 and climate. Does it arise from physical endowments, 

 from any peculiar capabilities of the human organization ; — 

 from strength and flexibility of the animal machinery ? or 

 from the effects of human art and contrivance in affordinj^ 

 protection from extremes of heat and cold, from winds and 

 rains, from vapours and exhalations, and the other de- 

 structive influences of local situation ^ Is it, in short, the 

 result of physical constitution, or of reason ? I think that 



Journey in China; p. 325. At present (December 1818) his diet is vege- 

 table, both from his own choice, and because it agrees much l)cst with 

 him. 



Of some species of South American simiae it is incidentally mentioned by 

 Humboldt, that they live on fruits ; Recueil d'Obs. de Zoologic, &c. p. 308. 

 of the S. trivirgata ; p. 313. of the S. chiropoius ; p. 318, and of the S. 

 melanocephala. It appears that some will occasionally take animal food, 

 p. 320, and that theTiti (S. sciurea) will eat insects as well as fruit, p. 333. 

 This little animal immediately distinguislied, in some plates of natural his- 

 tory, the insects on which it liad been accustomed to prey, from other similar 

 objects. 



