is happy for England; especially, if it be true, that it has most of those venomous infects (if not the reptiles) which beneath the Equator are fo mifchievous, and deadly; but with us they are fo weak and diminutive, that they require the microfcope to ascertain them. Our fnakes are doubtless of the fame nature as equatorial ferpents, but of how different powers! how feeble their hifs! how diminished their terrors! Larger animals (as the horse) preferve more of their native properties, and manners, though they vary in fize and strength; but no creature is capable of inhabiting the globe at large, of occupying diftant and contradictory climates, like Man, who everywhere maintains his erect figure, his commanding aspect, and his dominion over all creatures around his habitation i those he selects for service he domefticates; those he chases fly before him, dreading his power, and expelled (more or less) by his enmity. Even monfters of the deep, which in their profound receffes might expect fecurity, even thefe yield to his arts, and, difturbed in their retreats, feek other shores, where to attain their full dimenfions. Thus the whale is no longer of his former amazing bulk in European feas; if he reach them, it is where the prow of navigation molefts not his repose. If then Man be leaft fubject to changes, yet we find in the human race confiderable varieties, we may juftly infer, that very great diverfity occurs among animals of the fame tribe; their resemblances are lefs marked, and their approaches to other species are nearer and more frequent. We fhall now however advert to the differences among mankind. The causes of variety in the human species, are principally climate, manner of life, cuftoms, and nutriment; we conclude that these are the principal causes, because if these be changed the effect changes also. Climate is not only, in general, hot or cold, moift or dry, but in fome places in the fame countries, is hotter or colder, moifter or drier, than in others. On mountains, in valleys, the action of the fun differs; confequently heat differs aifo. Around lakes and marshes, by the fides of great rivers, where. humidity is fuperabundant, more watery air is breathed (acting internally,) or affects the skin, the hair, &c, (acting externally); mineral particles alfo impregnate the air, and influence not GENERAL GENTEEL PRECEPTOR: PART THE THIRD. BEING THE SECOND DIVISION OF NATURAL HISTORY BIRD S. ADAPTED TO THE SERVICE AND INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES; AND OTHERS, WHO WISH TO ACQUIRE, OR CONFIRM, USEFUL AND PLEASING EDUCATION. BY FRANCIS FITZGERALD, ESQ. LONDON- PUBLIC PRINTED FOR C. TAYLOR, NO. 105, HATTON GARDEN. |