3^: THE ELK AND 



common in this country, and which now exift 

 not in Bigore, Couferans, nor in the adjacent 

 provinces. It is certain that the rain- deer is 

 found only in more northern latitudes. But we 

 like wife- know, that the climate of France was 

 formerly much moifter and colder, on account 

 of the many forefts and marines which have 

 fmce been cut down and drained. From the 

 Emperor Julian's letter, we learn what was the 

 rigour of the froft at Pans in his time. The 

 defcription he gives of the ice on the Seine is 

 perfectly the fame with what the Canadians tell 

 us of the ice on the rivers of Quebec. Gaul, 

 under the fame latitude with Canada, was, two 

 thoufand years ago, exactly what Canada is at 

 pre Tent, namely, a climate furficiently cold to 

 nouriin animals which are now found only in 

 the more northern regions. 



From all thefe facts, therefore, it is evident, 

 that the elk and the rain-deer formerly exifted 

 in the forefts of Gaul and Germany; and that 

 the paffages in the Commentaries of Cacfar can 

 apply to no other animals. In proportion as 

 the lands were cleared, and the waters dried up, 

 the temperature of the climate would become- 

 more mild, thefe animals, who delight in cold, 

 would firfl: abandon the flat countries, and retire 

 to the fnowy. mountains, where they flill iub- 

 fifted in the days of Gallon de Foix. The rea- 

 fon why they are no longer found there is ob- 

 us: The heat of the climate has been gra- 

 dually 



