INFLUENCE F CLIMATE ON DIET. iil 



warm from its vessels ; but this diet, instead of assimi- 

 lating their nature to that of carnivorous animals, pro- 

 duces a degraded condition both of body and rnind.* 



Emily. Do you believe, then, that a vegetable diet 

 is most natural to man ? 



J) rf B. No : I mention these facts, merely to show 

 how erroneous was the notion which you had adopted. 

 All circumstances considered, a mixed diet is probably 

 that which is capable of giving the most perfect devel- 

 opement to man's moral and physical powers. But 

 that nature has prescribed any particular diet for the 

 human species generally, is a doctrine but feebly sup- 

 ported by facts. Man, unlike other animals, is not con- 

 fined to a limited district, and obliged to subsist on what- 

 ever he may find within it, but has extended his domin- 

 ion to the uttermost parts of the earth. Nature, no 

 doubt, meant that he should, for she has given him the 

 power of accommodating himself to the circumstances 

 around him to the productions, as well as the climate 

 of his abode. In the polar regions an animal diet is ab- 

 solutely necessary, not more from the impracticability 

 of obtaining any other, than the peculiar condition of the 

 system where all the vital powers seem to have centred 

 in the internal organs, and heat, strong food, and every 

 otfyer stimulus are imperiously demanded to support 

 them against the influence of external agents. 



Emtiy. Nor does the demand seem to be made in 

 vain ; behold the following delicate bill of fare reported 

 in Capt. Lion's amusing journal, every particle of which 

 was consumed by a young Esquimaux. Solids, lOlbs. 

 4 oz. Water, 1 gallon, 1 pint. Soup, 1 1-4 pint, 

 Raw spirit, 31-2 glasses. Grog, strong, one tumbler ! 

 This in twenty-one hours, eight of which were passed 

 in sleep ! 



Dr. B. In warm countries, where febrile excite- 

 ment is the result of any kind of stimulus, vegetable 

 food is most conducive to the health and vigour of the 

 6 



