Observations on the climate in different parts of America : compared with the climate in corresponding parts of the other continent : to which are added, remarks on the different complexions of the human race ; with some account of the aborigines of America : being an introductory discourse to the History of North-Carolina / by Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL. D. member of the Holland Society of Sciences, of the Society of Arts and Sciences of Utrecht, of the American Philosophical Society, &c.

  • Williamson, Hugh, 1735-1819.
Date:
1811
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the climate in different parts of America : compared with the climate in corresponding parts of the other continent : to which are added, remarks on the different complexions of the human race ; with some account of the aborigines of America : being an introductory discourse to the History of North-Carolina / by Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL. D. member of the Holland Society of Sciences, of the Society of Arts and Sciences of Utrecht, of the American Philosophical Society, &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    CONTENTS. Page. Of the climate in different parts of America 1 The winters in some parts of North-America are colder than the winters in corresponding latitudes in Europe 8 The general cause of heat in different places 4 The cause of winds 5 North-west winds prevail during the winter in the United States 7 North-west winds and winter's cold decrease in North- America, and easterly winds became more prevalent 12 The winters are more temperate on the western than on the eastern coast of America 14 Summer in the high latitudes of South America is cold- er than in corresponding latitudes in Europe. It does not follow that the winters are colder 16 Winters in Asia and Europe were formerly much colder than at present 17 A forest produces more vapour than a watery plain sur- face, therefore a forest is colder than a cultivated soil 18 Is heat a distinct substance, or is it a simple modifica- tion of bodies ? 20 A dry surface is capable of receiving more heat than one that is wet 22 Heat is removed by evaporation 25 Heat, like all fluids, endeavours to preserve its equili- brium, but it does not seem to gravitate 26 A white surface reflects most heat 28 The temperature of summer and winter may be ex- pected to become more desirable in America than in corresponding latitudes of the old continent 30 American Indians are improperly said to be a new race of men 31 Different climates in Africa, Asia, and Europe pro- duce men of different colours and features 32 Difference of colour in plants does not imply a differ- ent species, nor does a difference in the shape or co- lour of quadrupeds 35 Features may be altered by art 40 Changes in shape and colour are caused by climate 43