INTRODUCTION 
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allay. However, it is happy for the wretched 
inhabitants of those climates, that its most formi- 
dable animals are all solitary ones ; that they 
have not learnt the art of uniting, to oppress man- 
kind ; but each, depending on its own strength, 
invades without any assistant. 
1 
The food also is another cause in the variety, 
which we find among the quadrupeds of the same 
kind. Thus the beasts which feed in the valley 
are generally larger than those which glean a 
scanty subsistence on the mountain. Such as live 
in the warm climates, where the plants are much 
larger and more succulent than with us, are equally 
remarkable for their bulk. The ox fed in the 
plains of Indostan, is much larger tb an that which 
is more hardily maintained on the side of the Alps. 
The deserts of Africa, where the plants are ex- 
tremely nourishing, produce the largest and fiercest 
animals ; and, perhaps, for a contrary reason, 
America is found not to produce such large ani- 
mals as are seen in the antient continent. But* 
whatever be the reason, the fact is certain, that 
while America exceeds us in the size of its reptiles 
of all kinds, it is far inferior in its quadruped pro- 
ductions. Thus, for instance, the largest animal 
of that country is the tapir, which can by no means 
be compared to the elephant of Africa. It3 beasts 
of prey also, are divested of that strength and cou- 
rage which is so dangerous in this part of the 
world. The American lion, tiger, and leopard* 
if such diminutive creatures deserve these names^ 
