Zoological Illustrations, Volume 1: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting AnimalsSwainson, William
Science
Zoological Illustrations, Volume 1: or, Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals
Swainson, William
Animals -- Pictorial works
It will be unnecessary to point out with regard to the scientific
arrangement, that we have avowedly adopted the principles of the modern
classification; which the strict followers of Linnaeus (in this country
alone) have so long, but so ineffectually opposed. The first has been
designated as the natural, and the other the artificial system; and,
without entering into a critical disquisition on these definitions, it will
be sufficient to observe, that by the Artificial System we bend nature to
conform to certain arbitrary principles, which we lay down and to which we
insist all her productions known and unknown will conform; while in the
Natural method, we endeavour by tracing her modifications, to adapt our
system to that which appears to regulate her operations. In the one we give
laws, in the other receive them; by the first we are taught to believe that
the highest attainment of the science, is that of ascertaining the name of
an object in our Museum, or of giving a new one; we record it in our
favourite system as a grammarian enters a new word in his dictionary, and
there the matter terminates. Where the artificial system ends, the natural
begins; for we then proceed to the investigation of affinities founded on
anatomical construction, economy, and geographic distribution; our
attention ceases to be confined to individuals, and extends to large
groups; general facts enable us to draw general conclusions, till the mind
begins faintly to discern a vast and mighty plan, by which the zones of the
earth are peopled by their own respective races of animate beings; blending
their confines unto each other with divine harmony, beauty, and usefulness.
That these inquiries and results have had a most wonderful effect on the
natural sciences of late years, is abundantly evident. Geology, a subject
hardly thought of in this country a few years ago, is now found to be a
science of the first importance; with this, however, Conchology is so
intimately connected, that without a certain knowledge of it, the geologist
is frequently unable to prosecute inquiries of the most interesting nature;
and there is little doubt but that Botany has been raised to the rank it
now so justly holds, solely because its natural system has been more
generally studied and advocated in this country, than that of any other
branch of Natural History. In this science at least, we possess a
superiority which our continental neighbours cannot dispute; and the name
of Brown will be enrolled in the brightest page of our philosophic
inquirers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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