32 INTRODUCTION. 



The earth, which had been to man a sealed book, was open- 

 ed, and, read by the light of the new philosophy,, disclosed 

 tlie history of its own creation. The order of events, 

 in the production and succession of animal life upon its 

 surface, began to be understood. The relations of 

 different bemgs to each other were studied, and all 

 were seen to be mutually dependent. Order and sys- 

 tem were thus substituted for confusion, and philosophi- 

 cal zoology became one of the prominent subjects which 

 claimed the attention of the speculative and the learned. 



The active interest in this science, originating in 

 France, gradually extended to such parts of the conti- 

 nent of Europe as were influenced by the French 

 language and hterature, or were occupied by her armies, 

 which were often attended by commissions of scientific 

 men, and sometimes numbered, among their officers, 

 naturalists of the highest merit. In England, when in 

 consequence of the wars growing out of the French 

 Revolution, and continmng imtil the dethronement of 

 Napoleon, a state of non-intercourse with France existed, 

 the new impulse was not felt until a later date. When 

 it was received, however, it produced a decided impres- 

 sion, and Avas soon followed by a rapid advance in this 

 department of knowledge. Its results have been the 

 training of a numerous body of scientific natiu-ahsts, 

 among whom are some of the most distinguished men of 

 the present age. 



At the period first alluded to, the United States, then 

 not long emerged from colonial subjection, was engaged 



