THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 
97 
rist. In tho same manner that Vegetables, when transplanted from a burning to a cold 
climate, multiply but seldom and with difficulty in the ordinary way, we remark that 
animals imported from a very warm to a very cold country often become unfruitful. 
It has frequently been noticed, that Arabian IMares, when brought to Britain under 
different circumstances, cither become unfruitful, or yield feeble and unprolitablc re- 
sults. The Stallions of many races are sometimes in the same situation, even when 
transported to a much shorter distance. M. Yvart remarks, that the Asses of Tus- 
cany and Spain are not always productive in France, or in countries lying farther to 
the northward ; and it is well known, that in all the Northern countries of Europe, 
animals of this species yield products greatly inferior in appearance to those of the 
South. The other domestic animals present us with results, which may be regarded 
as equivalent to the preceding, after making due allowances for the differences between 
the climate of their residence and that of their original country. Tims, we may re- 
mark that the Sheep and Bull seem rather to <leteriorate on removing from the North 
to the South of Europe ; now these animals appear to have belongfMi originally to 
countries where a cold and moist atmosphere was more prevalent, than one of an op- 
posite character. On the contrary, as wc have just observed, a different result is ob- 
tained in respect to the Horse and Ass, which were originally natives of the South. 
That degeneration of individuals, so frequently remarked in animals and plants, 
results inevitably from their being imperfectly acclimated, and many of the diseases 
with which they are afflicted proceed from a similar cause. In the Southern coun- 
tries of Europe, the insensible exhalations which transpire from the surface of the 
skin arc usually considerable, while the contrary takes place in its more Northern 
regions. Hence, in importing animals from th<? Smith to the North, due care should 
bo taken to overcome their constitutional habit in a gradual manner. There is a 
constant determination of all useless or hurtful matters towards the skin in warm 
climates ; while, in cold countries, trauepiration is counteracted, arrested, or suspended, 
and always modlBed in a greater or less degree. Hence, unless their cliange of situa- 
tion is cautiously effected, animals become predisposed to several cutaneous disorders, 
to obstructions, enlargement of the liver, and other maladies of this nature. Again, 
when animals are suddenly transported from the North to the South, and without the 
necessary precaution?, the consequences arc not less dangerous than those already 
enumerated, as the excretory functions of the skin are less energetic in cold than in 
warm countries, the internal functions ^mssess a greater relative energy; and, on re- 
moving them to the South, their constitutional habit becomes modified. The insen- 
sible transpiration of the skin necessarily becomes greater, and the active forces of 
the system tend towards the sm*fac«’, — a change which may occasion many dangerous 
maladies, such as putrid fevers. The only effectual way of counteracting these serious 
inconveniences, i-^ by adopting a system proper to .ill the circumstances of the locality, 
according to the principles lni<l down in our best Medical treatises. 
Climate exercises an Important influence over many of those characteristics, which 
commonly serve to distinguish one species from another; and it is highly probable, that 
many animals, which are commonly considered by Naturalists as belonging to allied 
species, may in reality be nothing more than permanent races, descended from the 
same original stock, and preserved distinct solidy by tlie influence of climate. The 
ttsual characters of animals, when long cxjiosed to dry and warm climates, may be 
stated in general terms to he the following: — Their skin is thin, supple, and oily; 
their hair scanty and fine ; their limbs long ; the. tendinous ]»arts distinct ; their horns 
hard, dry, and biitflc; the hoof confracted; the feet narrow and sound; the muscles 
dry and hut slightly fat ; and their temperament rather sanguineous than lymphatic. 
The circulation of tho blood bocomis accelerated ;'they possess much ardour, energy, 
Jtnd courage; while the several parts of their bodies seldom acquire very voluminous 
proportions. On the contrary, animals exposed to a cold and moist climate, along 
with more strongly marked proportions, have their skin thickQr, harder, and dryer; 
^heir hair longer, coarser, and more bushy ; their extremities shorter, with the ten- 
dons less strongly pronounced ; the horns softer and more spongy ; the feet larger, 
broader, more flattened, and leas compact; the muscles stronger, closer, and well sup- 
plied with fat. Their temperament is rather lymphatic than sanguineous; their cir- 
’'^ulation is slower ; they possess less physical and mental energy, and may almost be 
said to consist wholly of matter, as they arc visibly deficient in anlour, energy, and 
*^ourage. The animals of temperate climates occupy in all respects a mean between 
'hese two extremes. 
Animals have, as well as vegetables, their natural habitations and stations, to 
"Inch they should bo approximated as much as possible in the stale of domestication; 
^nd it ist always dangerous to so]>arate them from these localities without the greatest 
''“aution. Nature often places insuvniountahle obstacles to their migrations, by 
d^‘privi;ig them, as we have already seen, of the power of reproducing any where 
'■Heept in their native countries. The study of habitations and stations is therefore 
the highest importance in the monagement of the domestic animals. 
% the term hahitfition^ we eimnnonly understand the climate wliich each animal 
prefers, because it U best adapted to its organization; and by stn/tow, that particular 
place which each of them chooses in the same cNuiutry and under the same climate, 
^*’om its finding more resources in that locality for living and satisfying all the con- 
'btions of its organization. 
Thus, the habitation of the Reindeer appears to be irrevocably fixed to the frozen 
^■•^uutrics adjoming the Norll) Pule, where this animal has long been domesticated, 
^nd yields the most important services. After the many unsuccessful trials which 
bave been made, it may be. considered as almost impoiisiblc to render it acclimated 
the temperate plains of Europe. Perhaps it might succeed, with the proper 
precautions, on the summits of our coldest mountains. Again, the natural station 
the Rabbit is on a sandy and dry soil; that of the Sheep and (Juat in dry and 
'’levated regions ; tiie Bufl'alo and Bull delight in low and moist, situations. These 
®»*imals caniiQl. he separated entirely and suildenly from their natural stations, witli- 
^'^t exposing them to ineonveniences more or less serious. In all attempts at. accli- 
mating foreign animals it is, therefore, as important to study their natural station as 
^bcir habitation. 
Wherever tlip same tcniperaUxrc prevails, and in whatever latitude, it is generally 
2 ^ 
possible to find some spots where animals may be imported with success, whore they 
will multiply like plants in analogous situations. It appears also, that those animals 
which Nature has placed in the temperate climates, may extend themselves insensi- 
bly towards the opposite extremes of heat and cold ; for, as Pallas has judiciously 
observed, all our domestic animals of the North and South are found wild and 
apparently native, in the temperate regions of Central Asia. 
It hjLs long been remarked that those animals, as well as plants, which have their 
natural station in dry and elevated countries, arc analogous to the living productions 
of cold countries; and that those species which delight most in low and moist grounds 
approach more nearly in general character to the productions of the South. This 
serves to indicate that it is commonly more advantageous to attempt the acclimation 
of animals from warm countries in low localities, whilst those of the North are most 
easily naturalized in dry and elevated regions, and it is always useful in practice to 
study these analogies by attending to the natural disposition, whether low or elevated, 
which u cold or warm country is capable of affording. It seems probable, also, that 
individuals will be more easily acclimated in places which form the natural stations 
of congcncrons species, than of those greatly removed from them, for the same dis- 
positions and qualities are usually found to exist in animals belonging to the different 
species of the same genus. The chances of a successful acclimation are further 
increased by the adoption of a similar, or at least a kind of food analogous to that 
which they would havo received in their native country; and, in some instances, 
this is indispensable to their existence. Thus, we often see Birds, directed by the 
migratory instinct, resorting to localities where they can find that kind of food 
which is necessary to their existence, and of which they have been deprived by the 
severity of the climate. 
It follows from the above ooservations, that whenever animals arc imported from 
a country tvliich Is very hot or very cold, very dry or very moist, to one which is 
less so ; and that it becomes desirable to maintain them in a state of health, so that 
they may continue their species by generation, and in general maintain the healthy 
exercise of all their functions, it becomes necessary to observe the following precau- 
tions: — 1st, To approximate tliem by a convenient and suitable position to their 
original and natural situation ; and, 2dly, To avoid all sudden transitions with the 
greatest caution, so as to acclimate them gradually. The climate, as w'c hare al- 
ready roraaikcJ, exercises a most direct and powerful influence upon the physical 
and intelligent powers of all animals as well as upon their offspring ; and hence we 
may readily anticipate alterations more or less sensible and permanent, on trans- 
porting them suddenly, and without the suitable precautions, to remote distances, or 
perhaps to situations of an opposite kind to those whence they were abstracted. 
The effents become more apparent when their transportation is cffciJted from the 
warm to the cold climaCe. It may be added, that it is frequently more advantageous 
to remove animals which are still young, because, fiom their bring more pliant at 
this age, they habituate themselves readily to the change, and in the end endure 
the unfavorable circumstances to which they are exposed. A very smh.len and 
powerful change is, however, better endured by the adult animal, whose frame being 
more matured, is better capable of resisting the shock. 
With the domestic animals, wo commonly find that temperate climates, where they 
are exposed but little to sudden changes of the atmosphere, arc in general those which 
agree best with their natures, and whore they are least subject to deformity and dis- 
ease. In the.se situations they also become more mild and tractable, as their natures 
assume the general aspect of the climate, while they seem to acquire a certain degree 
of rudeness and asperity from the contagious Influence of an unhospitable region. 
The particular kind of food which animals receive when domesticated, exercises 
a most marked influence over tlndr physical and intellectual constitutions ; and un- 
questionably forms one of the most important branches of their management. 
As the attachment of each species to any particular kind of food is regulated by 
its internal organization, it will often happen that a description of food which is 
greedily sought after by one animal is rejected by another, and if taken by the 
latter may even become poisonous, of which numerous instances are to be found. 
Animals, when unconfined, liave the advantage of removing from place to place, 
often to very great distances, as well as with great rapidity, and, guided by an un- 
erring instinct, are seldom deceived in the choice of their food. In their domesticated 
cori'llt-ion, they arc, on the contrary, confined within very narrow limits, and, being 
entirely suhinitteil to the absolute dominion of Man, who is not always guided by 
the views of an cnliglitencd economy, arc reduced to the necessity of appeasing 
their hunger with the food presented to them by his hand. The contrivances of 
Art sire siften at variance with the instincts of Nature, .and the most fatal accidents, 
not alwayst attributed to this cause, are the consequences of a violation of iicr 
laws. 
The character and habitual dispositions of the domestic animals are influenced, 
in the most direct and well-marked manner, by the general description, and even 
the ]iarticular variety, of their food. An animal feeding solely upon grass, especially 
when very watery, is usually dull, slow, and possesses but little activity and vigour, 
although it may obtain a certain degree of embonpoint ; another feeding on grass 
nearly ready for cutting, and deprived of its excess of moisture, acquires rngre force, 
and :i genuine plumpne.ss. If its nature admit of the. use of fruit, these qualities 
become still moro apparent, or, if grain be made choice of, its energ)' is greatly im- 
proved. Finally, an animal feeding upon flc.rii excels the others in its agility, and 
its animal forces assume the highest degree of energy, or even ferocity. V/e. have 
frequent instances of the truth of these remarks in all the omnivorous animals, whose 
characters undergo a considerable metamorphosis, according to tho kind of food on 
which they may hap}»cn to be maintained. Lot two Dogs bo made the subject of an 
experiment, the one being fed constantly on flesh, and the other on bread, and wc 
sliall soon be able to distinguish the former by the superiority ol its energy, 
courage, strength, and ferocity. Tho carnivorous animals are thus more robust 
and active than the herbivorous, because flesh is more nutritive and sustaining than 
a vegetable diet. 
It has been correctly remarked by BufFon, that the influence of food is greatest, 
