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«F NATURAL HXSTbRY. 269 



CHAPTER X. 



Of the Puberty of Animals, 



HE puberty of animals commences at that period 

 of their exiftence when Nature endows them with the pow- 

 er of multiplying the fpecies. This period is as various as 

 the different tribes of animals. In fome it arrives fooner, in 

 others later ; but, in every animal, it is accompanied with, 

 fome remarkable changes in conftitution and affections. Fr6ni 

 infancy to puberty there is a gradual increafe of fize ; but, 

 immediately after that period, in both fexes, the growth of 

 the body makes a fudden fpring, and acquires redoubled 

 ftrength and activity. The growth of animals, however, 

 does not always ftop at the age of puberty. Men, quadru- 

 peds, and fifhes, continue to grow for fome time after their 

 capacity of multiplying. But moft birds and infetfts feem to 

 acquire their full dimeniions before they arrive at the age of 

 puberty. 



Before puberty, the voice of a man, like that of a woman, 

 is fhrill and feeble. But, after that period, it becomes rough 

 and ftrong. This effedt is produced by fome unaccountable 

 and fudden change in the organs of fpeech, which is not 

 confined to the hiiman fpecies \ for the voice of a horfe or a 

 bull is deeper after than before puberty. In eunuchs, no fuch 

 alteration of voice is to be obferved ; for their voice, though 

 fiirill and piercing, can never produce a low or deep note. 

 At this period, too, that diftinguifhing characteriftic of man, 

 the beard, begins to appear, together with other external 

 and internal changes, which it is unneceffary to relate. But 

 eunuchs are totally deftitute of beards. Thefe two fafls 

 indicate a conne(^ion which merits the attention of phi- 

 lofophers. 



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