2i8 THE PHILOSOPHY 



lous as Britain, France, and many other nations. The general prac- 

 tice of mankind, when not reftrained by prejudice or fuperftition, 

 of feeding promifcuouny on animal and vegetable fubftances, is a 

 ftrong indication that man is, partly at leaft, a carnivorous animal. 

 The Gentoos, though their chief diet be vegetables, afford no proper 

 argument againft this reafoning. They are obliged, by their reli- 

 gion, to abftain from the flefh of animals; and they are allowed to 

 ufe milk, which is a very nourifhing animal food. Notwithftanding 

 this indulgence, the Gentoos, in general, are a meagre, fickly, and 

 feeble race. In hot climates, however, a very great proportion of 

 vegetable diet may be ufed without any bad confequenccs. 



Other arguments, tcAding to the fame conclufion, are derived, 

 not fiom the cuRoms or practices of particular nations, but from the 

 ftrudure of the human body. All animals which feed upon vege- 

 tables alone, as formerly remarked, have ftomachs and inteftines 

 proportionally larger than thofe that live folely on animal fubftan- 

 ces. Man, like the carnivorous tribes, is furniflied with cutting and 

 canine teeth, and, like the graminivorous, with a double row of 

 grinders. The dimenfions of his ftomach and inteftines likewlfe 

 hold a mean proportion between thcfe two tribes of animals, which 

 differ fo eflentially in their charafters and manners. — From thefe, 

 and fimilar arguments, I have no hefitation to conclude, that a pro- ^ 

 mifcuous ufe of animal and vegetable fubftances is no deviation from 

 the original nature or deftination of mankind, whatever country 

 they may inhabit. 



With regard to the different proportions of animal and vegetable 

 food which are moft accommodated to the health and vigour of 

 mankind, no general rule can be given that could be applicable to 

 different climates, and to the different conftitutions of individuals. 

 Animal food, it is certain, gives vigour to the body, and may ba 



ufed: 



