The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-05-31

Climate is one Of the causes which seems
Ito exercise powerful influence on the animal
economy, and the formation of the body. To
this we must ascribe the white color Of sever
al animals in the northern regions, which
possess other coioTs in more temperate eli
mates, viz the fox, hare, falcon, crow, black
bird, &c. That this whiteEess must be ascrib-
ed to the cold Of the climate, is rendered proba-
bic by the analogy of these animals which
change their color in the same country at the
winter season to white or grey; as the ermine
and weasel, hare, squirrel, reindeer, &C., &c
The common bear is very differently colored
in different countries. The remarkably silky
and white covering of various animals in the
district Of Asia Minor called Angora must be
explained in the same way, rather than from
any difference of food Hence we also ac.
count for the peculiar blackness of fowls and
dogs on the coast of Guina, and for the wool
ly covering of the sheep into bair, in the same
situation. The effect Of climate, likewise pro-
duccs remarkable changes in the size of ami
mails, as is evidenced in the horses of Scot
land and IN north Wales, and in the provinces
OF Sweden
Fo j las a remarkable effect in tie animal
oaomy, as is noticed in many singing birds
,b.jtg fed On particular food, as changing
& cir oolor-hemp seed for instance changing
L em ylaok. Many instances too numerous
t. m,nion in a lecture like this, might be
nj nioneI, of the changes produced in
various animals from the effects Of food, and
"h.ch undoubtedly produces a similar change
in tae human syst m. Look at the hardy
roe oi New Englauders only half century
ago. and then at the present; and see the
wonderful charge food has produced in the
animal yigor, perseverance and The power of
endurance between the two, and what may
we not expect viii take place fifty years hence
when sc know hat like causes will produce
Ike Fl els.
Much might be said to the young ladies,
on Ills sulj ct, in regard to food. dress man
ner e lifr, &c, rs connected with the future
g uuations Of our species, but iorbear, as it
is uIccnnr ct,d with my present subject.
Manner of life includes all those causes,
which can act on the animal enopomy besides
climate and food and which their long coa-
trucd il fiuerce on the body, effect consider
able changes in il. Culture and the power Of
habit, are the most ,fficacious OF these, and
exert powerful and indispuable action on
our domestic animals. Observe the striking
difference of form and proportion between the
horse trained in the menagerie, and the wild,
untaught and unbroken animal The Ass, in
its wild state is remarkably swift nd lively,
and st II remains SO in his native countries in
the east. The Argali, or wild original sheep,
is covered with hair instead of wool and the
bison. OF wild OK. has long flowing name,
hanging almost to the ground. Most of the
mammalia, which have been tanned by man,
betr.y their subjugated state. In many, the
functions Of the body are changed. The do
mestic pig acquires a vast accumulation of
fat under he skin, which is never seen in the
wild animal, but on the contrary soft downy
hair among its bristles, which is soon lost in
the domesticated state, and subjects them to
new and various diseases, of which the Ay
doteds, termed messels in swine, is an indu-
bItable evidence. But it takes a long time to
bring about these changes. and when we view
the long lapse of ages which the wheels of
time have rolled on ages past, we cannot doubt
but great and mighty changes have been pro-
duced, not only on the face of the earth, but
among all the animals of which the earth has
been covered. But there is one great and
distinguishing mark in the human family that
hybrids have never been produced. But
among the quadrupeds it seems even possible
that a disposition originally morbid may be
transmitted by generation, and acquire per-
manent character. The peculiar whiteness of,
the skin, with red color of the eye occurring
in the rabbit and ferret, and other arimals, as
well as in the Albino of the human race, ap-
pears in the first instance to be morbid af-
fecton of the body, but after occurring in one
or two instances in the human subject, has
the appearance of leprous cachexy. We
have, moreover, many facts, showing that,
casual mutilations are sometimes transmitted
to the offspring, as seen in TIE cat and dog,
of which have witnessed many instances
(See Philosophical Magazine, vol. 4, Ander-
sons recreations, vol. ~ The Jews have
custom instituted by that great Law-giver,
Moses, and dictated by the great Jehovah,
which has descended in various instances, to
their latest posterity. God has endowed man
with a Susceptibility, and capabili.y, OF un
derstanding all the mullfareous and intricate
works of nature, by which we are surround
ed And certainly, has endowed the feirest