128 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



That longevity is the more common in the South may be questioned. Ac- 

 cording to the general law it would seem to be less common. Yet reasoning 

 more closely from cause to effect, the result may seem different. A vigorous 

 internal and external cause of life, may, and probably does cause tenacity of life. 

 Friendly environments, other influences being equal, would evidently prolong it. 

 Sudden changes of weather tax the system with drafts upon its vitality. When 

 the change is severely cold the draft is so much the heavier. This often occurs 

 in the northern States, seldom if ever in the southern. Near one-half the terri- 

 tory of Florida is never visited with frost or ice. Even where regions are found 

 north, liable to few changes, the weather is regularly and severely cold from 

 November to March, constantly calling on the vitality of the system to defend it 

 against the disagreeable chill. This tends to shorten the sufferer's days, and is 

 of course unfriendly to longevity. If analogy may be argued from the vegetable 

 kingdom the same result \vill be reached. Trees are found larger and older in 

 mild climates. The sizes attained in South America, California, and similar cli- 

 mates are mafvelous. Soil and climate being favorable to their growth, and meet- 

 ing with little or no impediment from winters, they grow faster and longer. In- 

 deed it is yet unknown how long and how large may be their growth. The 

 same may be said of some tropical animals. To mention none but the elephant, 

 is to indicate the tendency of a mild, salubrious clime to prolong animal life. Of 

 this huge beast the same may be said as of the huge trees : the age to which the 

 tribe may attain is unknown. The limit of its life yet remains to be discovered. 

 Then if life is desirable and death to be dreaded, other things being equal, the 

 South is tne better place to live. But, of course, all other things are not equal. 

 Almost in all respects diversity between the two sections — the North and the 

 South — obtains. Each has its pleasant and unpleasant, its happy and unhappy, 

 peculiarities. The wiser course is to compare and strike a fair balance. This 

 too is to be done in accordance with a knowledge of the constitutions, ages and 

 circumstances of the parties. For weak lungs the mild and the dry air of the 

 South is favorable. As a test of desiccation in certain localities, the long pend- 

 ant tree-moss is rehable. Its nutriment in part is from a humid atmosphere. In 

 high, dry regions it is seldom if ever seen. Hence its absence is a favorable indi- 

 cation for the abode of consumptives, as has been proven by experiments. The 

 congenialities and harmonies of nature invite our consideration and enjoyment. 

 Collide with nature and the just penalty of pain ensues; harmonize with nature 

 and the just reward of pleasure is realized. Taking large and liberal views of 

 life — patiently studying out the connections between causes and effects, we may 

 attain to the chief end of life and even purity and felicity. 



Jacksonville, Florida. 



