Mr. Vigors's Reply to M, Desmarcst, 91 



Art. XL A Reply to some Observations in the ^^ Dic^ 

 tionnaire des Sciences NaturelleSy'^ upon the newly cha- 

 racterized groups of the Psittacidje, By N. A. 

 Vigors, Esq. M,A., F.R.S., and L.S,, S^c, 



[In a letter addressed to the Conductors of the Zoological Journal. 

 August 1st. 1826.] 



Gentlemen, 



I shall make no apology for requesting your insertion of the fol- 

 lowing reply to some strictures which have lately appeared in a 

 French publication on a part of my ornithological labours. The 

 kindness with which your pages have hitherto been opened to me, 

 encourages me to trespass thus far upon you. In some measure 

 indeed I consider myself to have a slight claim to this favour. 

 Your journal has been the channel through which I have promul- 

 gated most of the views that have incurred the disapprobation of 

 the French writer, and ought equally perhaps to be the channel 

 through which I should attempt the vindication of their cor- 

 rectness. 



There is no task in general more repuguant to my feelings than 

 that of defending myself against the animadversions of my fellow 

 labourers in science. The notice of such attacks upon our opinions 

 evinces too great a susceptibility to criticism ; and lays us open to 

 the imputation that it is ourselves, and not the science we cultivate, 

 that we wish to uphold. The views in Natural science which we 

 advance from time to time in our various speculations ought to be 

 left to answer for themselves : and our only reply to the observa- 

 tions of others should be the alteration of such points as maturer 

 judgment and more favourable opportunities of observation, either 

 on the part of our reviewers, or on our own, have proved to be 

 erroneous ; or the silent retention of our opinions where no ground 

 has been exhibited for censure. Such a mode of reply would 

 exempt *he public from much of the personal feelings of in- 

 dividuals,— a subject at all times of little interest,— and the 

 cause of science would pursue its due course, without the interrup- 

 tion of extraneous matter. In the present instance, however, I 



