Mr. Jefferson and the giant moose

By Lee Alan Dugatkin

Subjects: Attitudes, Effect of environment on, Life sciences, Human beings, Knowledge and learning, Jefferson, thomas, 1743-1826, Environmental aspects of Degeneration, Historiography, Buffon, georges louis leclerc, comte de, 1707-1788, History, Degeneration, Human beings, effect of environment on

Description: When Georges Louis Leclerc Buffon ascertains that New World flora and fauna are degenerate due to the insalubrious environment, Thomas Jefferson counters with, among other things, writings in *Notes on the State of Virginia* and the body and bones of a seven-foot moose sent to Buffon.