OF NATURAL HISTORY. 221 



vv-afte andlofs of fubftance, we muft content ourfelves with 

 remaining in perpetual ignorance. 



In general, the food of animals, and particularly of the hu- 

 man fpecies, confifts of animal and vegetable fubftances, 

 combined v^'ith water or other fluids. The Gentoo, and 

 ibme other fouthcrn nations, live entirely upon vegetable 

 diet. From the accounts we have of the different regions of 

 the earth, it appears, that the natives of warm climates, 

 where the cultivation of plants is pra^lifed, employ a greater 

 proportion of vegetable food than in the more northern 

 countries. The inhabitants of Lapland have little or no de- 

 pendence on the fruits of the earth. They neither fow nor 

 reap. They ftill remain, and, from the nature of their cli- 

 mate, muH; forever remain, in the fhepherd Urate. Their 

 comparative riches confifl: entirely of the number of rein-deer 

 poneiTed by individuals. Their principal nourifhment is de- 

 rived from the ilefh and milk of thefe animals. In autumn, 

 hov/ever, they catch great multitudes of fowls, moft of them 

 of the game kind. With thefe, while frefh, they not only 

 fupply their preient wanrs^ but dry and preferve them 

 through the winter. They likewife kill hares, and other 

 animals, which abound in the woods and mountains ; but 

 the flefh of the bear is their greateft delicacy. In their lakes 

 and rivers, they have inexhaufcible ftores of fiflies, which, in 

 fummer and autumn, they dry in the fun, or in ftoves, and 

 in winter they are preferved by the froft. The Laplanders 

 drink water, or animal oils ; but never tafte bread or fait. 

 They live in a pure air, and have fufficient exercife. Their 

 conflitutions are attempered to the coldnefs of the climate ; 

 and they are remarkable for vigour and longevity. The 

 gout, the ftone, the rheumatifm, and many other difeafes 

 which torture the luxurious in milder climes, are totally un- 

 known to them. With the few gifts which Nature has be- 

 ftowed oi\ them, they remain fatisfied, and live happily a- 

 Dd 



