Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 2.djvu/82

 mentioned are much too insignificant to demand any consideration in a hygienic point of view.

Climate.─After describing the physical characters of the district, it might seem more in order to give an account in the next place, of the organized beings of which it is the habitat; but, as vegetables as well as animals are equally dependant on the atmosphere, I shall, previously, give an account of the climate of this district, comprehending, under this term, all those atmospherical phenomena which are supposed, in any way, to influence health. And, as the various phenomena included under this division of our subject, possess an incomparably greater influence on the health and functions of the human body, than any or all those already mentioned, I shall bestow on their consideration a proportion able degree of attention.

The general character and peculiarities of the climate of this district depend, as in other cases, on its geographical position and physical configuration. Placed in the lowest latitude of our Island, its seasons ought, on this account, to possess a more genial character than those of the more northern parts. And this effect of geographical position is greatly heightened by other circumstances. The whole district possesses, as far as regards climate, all the advantages and disadvantages of a small Island; and, accordingly, any one acquainted with the principles that regulate the phenomena of climate, will have no difficulty in estimating, a priori, the character of that of the Landsend, if he only regards it as a small Island moderately elevated above the level of the sea, and placed at a distance of forty or fifty