XXI 1 
INTRODUCTION, 
attached to the earth, and in a manner connected 
to the soil ; as they have none of the arts of shield- 
ing off the inclemency of the weather, or softening 
the rigours of the sun, they are consequently more 
changed by its variations. In general, it may be 
remarked, that the colder the country, the larger 
and the warmer is the fur of each animal ; it being 
wisely provided by nature, that the inhabitant 
should be adapted to the rigours of its situation. 
Thus the fox and wolf, which in temperate cli- 
mates have but short hair, have a line long fur in 
the frozen regions near the pole. On the contrary, 
those dogs which with us have long hair, when 
carried to Guinea, or Angola, in a short time cast 
their thick covering, and assume a lighter dress^ 
and one more adapted to the warmth of the coun- 
try. The beaver, and the ermine, which are found 
in the greatest plenty m the cold regions, are re- 
markable for the warmth and delicacy of their 
furs ; while the elephant, and the rhinoceros, that 
are natives of the line, have scarcely any hair. Not 
but that human industry can, in some measure, 
co-opcrate with, or repress the effects of climate 
'in this particular. It is well known what altera- 
tions are produced by proper care, in the sheep’s 
fleece, in different parts of our own country ; and 
the same industry is pursued w ith a like success 
in Syria and Cash mire, where many of their animals 
are clothed with a long and beautiful hair, which 
they take care to improve, as they work it into that 
stuff called camblet, so well known in different parts 
of Europe, 
