INTRODUCTION.

OBJECTS AND NATURE OF ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE; PLEASURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY.

THE objects of Natural History are perhaps in general less clearly understood than those of most other sciences, even among those who pursue it as their professed employment. And it is partly in consequence of this misconception, that its advantages as a means of intellectual and moral cultivation, and the pleasures which arise from the pursuit have been, in the opinion of the Author, very commonly underrated. It is usually supposed to be a Science of names and of intricate classification; but it will be shown, in the course of this Introduction, that these are not the objects of the Science, but merely furnish the mechanism (so to speak), by which its true ends are to be attained.

In Natural History, as in all departments of Philosophy, the first step is made by collecting and registering facts,—just as the Astronomer collects his facts, from observation of the movements of the heavenly bodies,—or the Chemist, from experiments upon the properties of the different substances found on the earth. In these last sciences, it is as requisite, as in Natural History, to give names to the objects whose movements or properties are being described; simply in order that various Astronomers or Chemists may be enabled to compare their observations, which they could not readily do, if there were no name or title to designate them. This may be easily understood, from such a case as the following. Let the reader suppose himself to be often

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in company, in public meetings, and private society, with a gentleman of whose name he was ignorant, but who might take so active a part in the proceedings or conversation, as strongly to attract his attention. He would himself have no difficulty in recognising this individual, on one occasion after another; and he might form an opinion of his character, from the actions he witnessed, or the opinions he heard expressed by him. Now a knowledge of his name would add nothing to his information respecting such an individual; unless an acquaintance with his name led to some further knowledge-as of his family, or of his proceedings elsewhere,—which might throw additional light on his character. But suppose the reader to wish to make the character of this individual a subject of discussion with a friend, who might have had the same or other opportunities of observing it; he could not do so, without making his friend know to what individual, among the many into whose society they might have been thrown together, he was referring. Now he might make. this known to him by describing his countenance, person, dress, manner, voice, &c. ; but to do this with sufficient certainty would often require some time and trouble, all of which might be saved by a knowledge of the name by which he is at once distinguished.

Now the real use of names in Natura! History may be easily understood, from the similar case just given. Every living being, whether plant or animal, furnishes the Naturalist with a group or collection of facts, to be examined and compared. He has first to observe the form and arrangement of the external parts of each; then its internal structure, which ought to be very minutely investigated; then its physiological actions, or the changes which it undergoes in the progress of growth and decline; then the habits connected with these; and lastly, the alterations which these may undergo, from a difference in mode of life, or from diseased actions. Now when it is considered that. in order to make even the foundations of the science complete, all this knowledge ought to be gained respecting each of the many

hundred thousand species of Plants and Animals existing on our globe, it is evident that this labour must be greatly subdivided, that it may be undertaken with any chance of success. Each Naturalist chooses a department most conformable to his own taste, or to his opportunities for pursuing it; one confining himself, for example, to the study of the external forms of some particular group; another to the examination of its internal structure; a third devotes himself to physiological inquiries; and a fourth to the observation of the habits and instincts of the respective beings, in a state of nature. Now it would be quite possible to pursue any of these inquiries without a knowledge of the names, which had been imposed upon the objects that fall under our observation; and the pleasure derived from such pursuits is but little impaired by this ignorance. What does it matter, for example, to the Microscopic observer, whether he is or is not acquainted with the name given to some Animalcule, whose movements he might be watching with the greatest interest, by some former observer, who very probably knew much less of its structure and actions than himself? But if we wish to unite or compare our observations with those of others, a knowledge of names becomes highly desirable, in order to save the time, trouble, and uncertainty which will otherwise be involved. The Author may mention an example of this kind, which occurred some time since in his own experience. He observed a very active movement of the reproductive granules, or ZOOSpores," of a species of Sea-weed, in which, to the best of his belief, it had not been previously seen. Now, in order to place this observation upon record, it might certainly answer to give such a general description of the plant as would probably serve to point it out to other observers; but such a description, not drawn up by a Botanist who had paid especial attention to the study of the Algae, would be very probably erroneous or defective, and might consequently leave it uncertain which species of Seaweed was really meant. But by ascertaining the name of this

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specimen to be Ulva Linza, he becomes able to publish his observation, in a form which at once enables any other observer to seek for the plant, and to repeat or extend his inquiry.

This is, however, the only utility of names in Natural History, or in any other science. They serve, like money, as the medium of exchange. And for those who pursue science for their amusement only, it cannot be desirable to burden the memory with a large number of names, which can only now and then be useful, and which can easily be ascertained when wanted. -Juliet's question-"What's in a name?”—has a more extensive applicability than she probably dreamt of at the moment she uttered it; yet her own reply shows her to have had a clear notion in her mind, that, in other objects, as well as in her lover, names and properties have no essential connexion ;— "that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

Let us now examine, in a somewhat similar manner, the value of Classification, in the scientific pursuit of Natural History. A very cursory inspection of the forms and structures of the different tribes of living beings, which are constantly presenting themselves to our notice, may satisfy the observer, that amongst all there are resemblances and differences;—between some, the similarity being a prevailing feature, whilst between others the differences are most obvious. Amidst all their variety, he perceives on closer examination such a prevailing uniformity, that he is led to believe that they are all formed on some general plan or system, analogous to that which is seen to prevail in other portions of the Creator's works. And just as the Astronomer is enabled to show, that the great principle of mutual attraction between all the masses of matter in the Universe, not only governs the regular movements of the heavenly bodies, but is constantly producing slight modifications or perturbations in their course (see ASTRONOMY),-so does the Naturalist hope that, in the living Kingdoms of Nature, some principle may be dis

coverable, which not only governs the uniformity that exists in the structure and actions of all the creatures belonging to them, but produces those numerous deviations from it, which are at first sight so perplexing.

To discover this plan, therefore, is the highest object of the scientific Naturalist; and all his endeavours should be directed towards it. There is no fact or class of facts relating to the structure, actions, or habits of living beings, which can be useless to him. That which seems, when regarded alone, to be of trivial importance, is often found, when united with others, or placed in a different light, to possess an unexpected value. Every one, therefore, who carefully observes any occurrences that may fall beneath his notice, and scrupulously records, not his inferences from them, but the facts themselves, may be regarded as contributing towards the advancement of the science. And when we consider how little is known, compared with that which remains to be discovered, it is obvious that there are few who cannot do something. The man of active and observant mind, whatever be his regular object of pursuit, may find many opportunities of rendering important services to Science, by simply watching that which passes before him, and committing to writing what he notices. A fund of interesting and valuable anecdotes regarding our native animals, may thus be collected by an attentive observer, who is nevertheless ignorant of their scientific names, their internal structure, or their place in a classification and these may be of the greatest service in completing the histories which have been already ascertained, in regard to their structure and physiological actions; and in explaining the uses of parts, which were previously unknown.

But the inability to go abroad and observe Nature in the field, need be no obstacle to those, who are inclined to pursue a course of investigation into her phenomena; for such persons may advantageously employ themselves in inquiring into the minute structure, and vital actions, of even our commonest Plants and