36 



On the Climate of the 



mals which subsist and multiply there naturally, and do not on our 

 sea-coast. Thus, Catalpas grow spontaneously on the Mississip- 

 pi, as far as the latitude of 37°, and reeds as far as 38°. Perro- 

 quets even winter on the Sciota in the 39th degree of latitude. In 

 the summer of 1779, when the thermometer was at 90° at Monti- 

 cello, and 96° at Williamsburgh, it was 110° at Kaskaskia."* 



It appears, therefore, that the author depends for the proof of this 

 position, first, upon the testimony of travellers, and secondly, upon 

 the growth and existence of certain vegetables and animals. I 

 shall examine each of these points somewhat in detail, in order to 

 ascertain whether they really furnish any evidence in favor of the 



The early works upon that portion of country, now the western 

 section of the United States, contain few observations concerning 

 the climate, and none which at all assist us in the investigation of 

 this subject. This will not be a matter of surprise, when we con- 

 sider that they generally consist of the journals or narrations of 

 travellers, who passed rapidly over the country, and who were 

 scarcely able to give correct descriptions even of roads or rivers. 

 It would be unnecessary at this time, to enumerate these different 

 authors, or to quote their imperfect and unsatisfactory remarks. 

 Suffice it to say, they furnish no data upon which the theory under 

 consideration could have been founded. If Mr. Jefferson depend^ 

 ed upon the oral testimony of travellers, which he did not deem 



be expected blindly to subscribe to its authenticity. 



But our author further states that the testimony of these travel- 

 lers " is strengthened by the vegetables and animals which subsist 

 and multiply naturally" on the Mississippi, " and do not on the 

 sea-coast.*' Although the tact here stated concerning animals and 

 vegetables is undoubtedly correct, it is difficult to discover in what 

 manner it warrants the inference which has been drawn from it. 

 Different countries, and even different sections of the same coun- 

 try, have peculiarities in their botany and zoology, entirely discon- 

 nected with climate. Not only several species, but entire genera, 



have never been found in any part of the western, and vice versa. 

 Thus also, many which are found ou the Atlantic coast of the 

 United States, have never been observed in any part of the valley 

 * ho\e* on the Stato of Virginia, page 125, London edition. 



