in the " Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles*^ 123 



mission to their ordinances, but in the hope of emulating their 

 progress and maintaining an equal line in the advance ; — of assum- 

 ing, in short, that forward station in Zoology, which the genius, 

 the industry, and the mighty resources of this Empire confer upon 

 us as a right, and impose upon us as a duty, to assert. Happy am I in 

 feeling myself authorized to add, that the spirit which is diffusing 

 itself among our Zoologists promises the happiest results to this 

 our cause. We feel strong in our first advances. We have 

 chosen our path : — not having fallen into it by blind chance or 

 wayward prejudice ; but having selected it from all that lay before 

 us, with free and deliberate preference. And in full confidence, 

 as far at least as human reason and foresight can inspire us with con- 

 fidence, of having chosen the right way, we shall steadily pursue it, 

 uninfluenced either by the secret or undisguised opposition of false 

 friends or open enemies, abroad or at home. Truth is our object; 

 — trutli if possible in amity with all — in cordial co-operation 

 with all I but, — if that boon be denied us — still truth and truth 

 alone. 



I must conclude. Gentlemen, this long discussion into which I 

 have been forced most unexpectedly, and entirely in opposition 

 to my wishes and feelings. I conclude it however, as I hope I 

 have pursued it, without any sentiments or expressions of resent- 

 ment. My feelings are more those '' of sorrow than of anger ;" 

 — of sorrow, that the fair fame of a naturalist like M. Desmarest 

 should be hazarded by being placed in contact with the ill-judged 

 Article before us, and that the pages of science should be sullied 

 by contentions such as these. 



I have the honour to be, 



Gentlemen, &c. &c. 



N. A. Vigors. 



