Page:Madras journal of literature and science vol 2 new series 1857.djvu/191

JULY— SEPT. 1857.] heticccn the Animal and Plant. 181 ed in high latitudes, but on the homeward voyage as we approached the Orkney Islands, in the month of cold November, both animals became sick, suffering from fits, The dog died of congestion of the brain, just as we sighted land, and towards the close of the following spring the bitch, which was then in the Highlands of Scotland, died I believe from the same cause. We have little reason to doubt that in both these cases, elevation of temperature was the exciting cause of disease. Of several varieties of hardy garden seeds imported from England in tin cases, and sown in a garden soil of fair quality in Kirkee this season, only a very few specimens have lived to come above ground; and yet the seeds looked fresh and healthy enough. In several colonies to which seeds, such as corn and barley, have been sent from Europe, even these sturdy plants suffered from the change of climate, and it was only after the careful culture of a few years that they began to yield an abundant return. On the other hand the agriculturist knows well the advantage of having seed from a limited distance, where there is not any considerable difference in climate involved in the change. Those at all conversant with a pastoral life also know the change in height and appearance that takes place in the Shetland breed of ponies, when transported young from their native shores to the south of Scotland or to England. Such a change of pasture and climate has also no little influence on the breeds of cattle and sheep.

Indeed it is an article of our medical creed, that local climate, and quality of soil exercise an important influence over animal and vegetable life. Amid the dank exuberant vegetation of the jungle, diseases exhibiting great vascular excitement are but too common; amid the smoke-begrimed, tainted atmosphere of the great city what an enervated sickly debased race grow up, and who that has seen in the same sphere a few plants tortured into existence, can say that they looked healthy? The heather is a sturdier plant than the rose or the shamrock, and in general hill tribes are endowed with a physical energy superior to that of their Neighbours of the plains. On a poor miserable soil, with scarce vegetation to cover its nakedness, we shall ever find a wretched and thinly scattered population. Looking backwards to the Geological eras of this venerable earth, we also find most wonderful relations, as to