46 



est plus humide et plus abondans en paturages. Les 

 boeufs de Danemarck, de la Podolie, de IMUkraine et 

 de la Tartaric qu hal.itent les Calmouqiies sont les plus 

 grands de tons.' Here then a race of animals, and 

 one of the largest too, has been increased in its dimen^ 

 sions by cold and moisture, in direct opposition to the 

 hypothesis, which supposes that these two circumstan- 

 ces diminish aniuial bulk, and that it is their contraries 

 heat and dryness which enlarge it. But when we ap- 

 peal to experience, we are not to rest satisfied with a 

 single fact. Let us therefore try our question on more 

 general ground. Let us take two portions of the earth, 

 Lurope and America for instance, sufficiently extensive 

 to give operation to general causes; let us consider 

 the circumstances peculiar to each, and observe their 

 effect on animal nature. America running through the 

 torrid as well as temperate zone, has more heat collec- 

 tively taken, than Europe. But Europe, according to 

 our hypothesis, is the dryest. They are equally adapt- 

 ed then to animal productions; each being endowed 

 with one of those causes which befriend animal growth, 

 and with one which opposes it. If it be thought une- 

 qual to com[)are Europe with America, which is so 

 much larger, I answer, not more so than to compare 

 America with the whole world. Besides, the purpose 

 of the comparison is to try an hypothesis, which makes 

 the size of animals depend on the heat and moisture of 

 climate. If therefore we take a region, so extensive as 

 to comprehend a sensible distinction of climate, and so 

 extensive too as that local accidents, or the intercourse 

 of animals on its borders, may not materially affect the 

 size of those in its interior parts, we shall comply with 

 those conditions which the hypothesis may reasonably 

 demand. The objection would be the weaker in the 

 present case, because any intercourse of animals which 

 may take place on the confines of Europe and Asia, is 

 to the advantage of the former, Asia producing cer- 

 tainly larger animals than Europe. Let us then take 

 a comparative view of the quadrupeds of Europe and 



