COMPARATIVE DESCRIPTION. 



THE skeleton of the Mammoth, as it is 

 first hastily glanced at, impresses the idea of 

 the elephant, to which, in its general contour 

 it bears some resemblance; yet, on a closer 

 examination, even tlie general figure is found 

 to vary considerably ; and a closer inspection 

 will shewthatmanyof the bones differ in a most 

 extraordinary manner. The supposition which 

 necessarily accompanies this Jirsf impression is, 

 that the habits and food or the two animals must 

 have been similar. This hasty mode of decision 

 is the parent of prejudice and obstinate error; 

 and nothing better can be said of it, than that 

 it is not unnatural, but such as we should 

 expect from minds little accustomed to inves- 

 tigation, and rather disposed to confide in 

 common-place facts, than to inquire into the 

 possibility of new ones, especially if they arc 

 in opposition to their prejudices. 



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