When naturalist George-Louis Leclerc Buffon espoused his “theory of degeneracy,” he raised a few eyebrows and hurt the feelings of more than a few. His theory was that all species — including humans — living in the American colonies suffered because of the miserable conditions. As a result, all living things in the New World were weak, feeble, and degenerate.
Among those who took issue with Buffon’s conclusions was Thomas Jefferson. In his book, Notes on the State of Virginia, he devoted the largest portion to disproving Buffon’s claims. When Jefferson was appointed as Minister to France, he took the occasion to meet with Buffon to personally convince him of the error of his thinking.
When logic and reason failed to change Buffon’s mind, Jefferson showed him the skin of a panther as well as the bones of a mastodon. When that didn’t work, Jefferson presented Buffon with a special gift, to illustrate just how weak and feeble America’s wildlife could be. The gift was a seven-foot-tall stuffed moose. Reportedly, Buffon was unconvinced, making a moot point out of the moose.
The Draconian Lawgiver Who Was Killed By His Popularity
The word “draconian” is used to describe laws or methods considered particularly harsh and unforgiving. It is not the way any politician would seek to be described — particularly if seeking the approval of the masses. Ironically, the man responsible for that word was exceedingly popular. So popular, in fact, that the adulation of his…
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What Would it Cost to Give the Gifts in The 12 Days of Christmas?
There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” when it comes to selecting gifts for those on your Christmas list. Some of your acquaintances may warrant nothing more than a tin of cookies or a copy of that timeless Christmas tale, Taylor the Tooting Turkey. Others require special consideration. Of course, at…
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That Time the President Gave the Pope a Strange Christmas Present
It is hard enough coming up with just the right Christmas gift when you have a year to plan for it. What do you do when you need to choose an appropriate gift with just a couple of days’ notice? Let’s make this even more complicated. What if the gift is for a powerful head…
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Categories: Animals, Biology, History, Nature, Presidents, Science, US History
Commonplace Fun Facts 