that connect the Orders and Families of Birds. 307 
individual, as he caught a glimpse of the newer and more spe- 
cious wonders displayed in the extensive affinities and combina- 
tions of the whole. 
It is to our continental neighbours that we are chiefly in- 
debted for these valuable improvements in zoology. The zeal 
and ability with which they applied themselves to the study of 
comparative anatomy in its various branches, have laid the justest 
foundation for all zoological investigation. It reflects some 
reproach upon this country that little aid was given to such 
labours by the industry of her naturalists. I know not the cause 
why among the different branches of natural history, compara- 
tive anatomy alone has hitherto experienced so much neglect : 
but it is a fact often and deeply lamented, that, with the excep- 
tion of one or two splendid names which have appeared among 
the writers on the Annulosa, the general poverty of our reputa- 
tion in zoology forms a striking contrast to the never-dying fame 
which has been earned by some of our naturalists in the vege- 
table and mineral kingdoms. Great Britain, however, has made 
ample amends for her tardy adoption of the more philosophical 
views of the science, in the masterly use to which she applied 
them when once adopted, and the rapid strides by which at 
once, as it were, she outstripped all previous research. It has 
been reserved for one of her sons to throw a new light upon the 
sphere of animated Nature, and to bring to view a principle that 
pervades her works, as beautiful as it is comprehensive. In 
the year 1819, the enlightened author of Hore Entomologice 
first called the attention of the lovers of science to a principle 
which he discovered in a minute group of insects; and which, 
with a comprehensiveness of mind, and an accuracy of execu- 
tion, seldom united in an individual, he subsequently followed 
up through the whole range of animallife. It would be super- 
fluous for me to enter into a detail of the important theory so 
3F2 success- 
