vegetables require a hot, some a temperate, and others a cold climate. 6. Vegetable life seems to draw its chief nourishment from heat and moisture; and as these are combined in the greatest degree in the torrid zone, it is here that the most luxuriant vegetation is found. 77. The tropical regions produce the largest trees, and display the richest verdure and the greatest profusion of flowers; they also abound in delicious fruits, nutritious food, aromatic plants or spices, and useful and ornamental kinds of wood. 78. Though the temperate zone cannot vie, in luxuriance, with the tropical regions, yet it yields in abundance all that is necessary to the subsistence and comfort of man, abounding in the finest fruits, the most useful kinds of grain, and the richest pasture. 79. In the frigid zone, the aspect of nature is gloomy and severe; the vegetables are of stunted growth and limited to a comparatively few species; and towards the poles, vegetation entirely fails. ANIMALS. 80. The torrid zone teems with the same luxuriance of animal as of vegetable life, and is prolific in insects, and reptiles; it is also the native region of those animals which are most distinguished for strength and ferocity, as the lion, the tiger, and the panther; and also for those of the most gigantic form, as the elephant, the rhinoceros, and the hippopotamus. 81. Some of the birds of the torrid zone are of extraor dinary size, as the ostrich, the cassowary, and the condor. The feathered tribe, in this zone, possess the most varied and brilliant plumage; but they are generally less melodious in their notes than those of the temperate zone. 82. Some of the most useful animals, as the ox, the horse, the sheep, the goat, the hog, the dog, and the cat, are so constituted by Providence, as to bear any climate, and are thus enabled to follow man to the utmost limits of the globe; but it is in the temperate zone, that the domestic animals are reared in the greatest abundance and perfection. 83. The frigid zone and the countries bordering upon it abound in animals which are covered with a thick fur, 76. What of vegetable life? 77. What of the productions of the tropical regions? 78 Of the temperate zone? 79. The frigid zone? 80. What is said of the animals of the torrid zone? 81. The birds? 82. What of some of the most useful domestic animals? 83. What of the animals of the frigid zone? which is much sought after by man, both for use and orna ment. The most useful animal of this region is the reindeer; and the most formidable one, the polar bear. 84. Different regions of the globe, as well as different zones, have races of animals peculiar to themselves. Asia is the country of the tiger, the Indian elephant, the camel with two humps, the wild sheep, the wild ass, the elk, and the musk; Africa, of the lion, the African elephant, the drom edary, the buffalo of Caffraria, and the zebra; America, of the jaguar, the lama, the great elk or moose deer, and a peculiar species of bison or buffalo. ΜΑΝ. 85. Man is at the head of the animal creation, and forms only one species, in which, however, there are considerable varieties, with regard to stature, form, color of the skin, physiognomy, and nature of the hair. 86. The human species are dispersed over the whole earth; for it is a peculiarity of the human constitution, that it adapts itself to every climate. The temperate zones, however, are most favorable to human subsistence and improvement; and here civilization h's most prevailed, in the different ages of the world. 87. With regard to complexion, he human species consist of two great classes, the wh and the black; but, including intermediate varieties, tk are divided, by physiologists, into the five following bre ds or races. 88. First; the Caucasian or White Race, which includes nearly all the Europeans, the Carcassians, Georgians, Ara bians, Turks, Persians, and Hir.doos. 89. Secondly; the Mongolian, Tawny, or Olive Race, which embraces the Monguls, Chinese, and the other inhabitants of the eastern and southern parts of Asia, except the Malays. 90. Thirdly; the Malay or Dark Brown Race, found in the peninsula of Malacca, the Asiatic islands, and the islands of the Pacific ocean. 91. Fourthly; the Ethiopian, Negro, or Black Race, which comprises the African Negroes, the Hottentots, Caffres, and the Papuans, or Negroes of Australia. 84. What are some of the animals peculiar to the different parts of the globe? 85. What is said of man? 86. What is said of the human species as dispersed over the earth? 87. How are they divided with regard to complexion? 88. What does the Caucasian race include? 89. The Mongolian? 90. What does the Malay race include? 91. The Ethiopian ? 92. Fifthly; the American or Coppor-colored Race, consisting of the American Indians. 93. With respect to the STATE OF SOCIETY, the human species are savage, barbarous, or civilized. 94. The savage state is the lowest in which man is found; and in this state he subsists by hunting, fishing, and the spontaneous productions of the earth. 95. A dense population is never found in the savage state, for such a population cannot be supported by the food which the earth yields without cultivation. 96. Savage life presents a melancholy view of human nature, with little happiness or morality. In this state, mankind are poor; often in extreme want; addicted to theft; coarse and filthy in their habits; remarkable for cruelty, and for the unrestrained indulgence of vindictive passions. 97. A numerous class of nations are still in this condition; the principal of which are the natives of New Holland and the neighboring islands, a great part of the African Negroes, and of the American Indians. 98. In the barbarous state, mankind wander about with their flocks and herds, from which they chiefly derive their subsistence and they also pursue a rude sort of agricul ture. 99. This was generally the state of Europe during the middle ages; and it is now the condition of the inhabitants of Barbary in Africa, the Arabs, the Malays, and the inhabitants of Central and Northern Asia. 100. The inhabitants of China, Hindostan, Persia, and Turkey, are raised somewhat above barbarian shepherds, and may be regarded as half-civilized. In these countries, agriculture is much attended to, and many kinds of manufactures are carried to a high degree of excellence; but foreign commerce exists only in a very limited degree. 101. The civilized state is the most improved form of human society, and exists, though with considerable diversity, throughout the most of Europe, the United States, and some other parts of America, which have been settled by Europeans. 92 What does the American race include? 93. How are the uman species divided with regard to state of society? 94. What is said of the savage state? 95. Why is a dense population never found in this state? 96. What is said of savage life? 97. What nations are still in the savage state? 98. What is said of the barbarous state? 99. What nations are in this state i 100. What nations are half-civilized? 101. What is said of the civilized state? NOTE. Most of the following Statistical Tables are formed on a graduated scale; and they present to the eye a comprehensive view of the matters treated of. They will be useful not only for study and examination, but also for occasional reference. It will be found much easier to obtain and fix in the memory statistical information presented in this form, than it would be, if such information were dispersed through the volume in connection with the several different countries. A few questions are placed at the bottom of the pages, in order to facilitate the use of the Tables; but it is expected that teachers will not limit themselves to these questions, but will exercise their pupils on the Tables as much further as they think proper. |