2«)4 A3IERICAX ZOOI.OGV. 



for poetical purposes, but it is by no means scientifically accurate. If it 

 is worth any thing, it means that the formative organic impulse is single 

 and universal, producing dilFerent forms only by varied degrees of de- 

 velopment. But we have at the very outset of an enquiry upon this 

 point, the entire diversity of the animal and vegetable series. It would 

 also be easy to point to discrepancies of form and function among the 

 individuals of each series, so decided that we must at once conclude 

 that they are not possibly accidental, but must be radical and original. 

 The assertion that the human embryo, in its developement, passes 

 through all the inferior forms almost in the very order in which we sec 

 them stratified in the various geological formations, commencing with 

 the oldest, is also more fanciful than correct. The life of the foetus is 

 purely parasitic and cannot wath justice be compared with that of any 

 order of beings having an independent existence. 



From these and similar considerations, I think we may safely infer 

 the entire independence of the human race as a separate species, called 

 into existence at its appointed time by a particular eflbrt of the divine 

 Creative Will. Such is the teaching of Scripture, and science proves to 

 us that the opinion is the mo.st rational and consistent with known facts. 



Erratum. In the last No. of the Record, p. 231, line 19 from below, our 

 prhiter has unlbrtunately made Prof. Patterson, say Struthiophagi instead of jin- 

 ihroj:)0}ihugi ! The indulgent reader will please correct accordingly. Ed. 



AMERICAN ZOOLOGY, NO. II. 



MAMMALOGY. 

 DV JOHX O. MORRIS, D. D. BALTIMORE, JID. 



Before I proceed to a more systematic history of Zoology in our 

 country, I must be allowed to communicate some general facts of tiic 

 earlier times, which are essential to the integrity of my plan. 



Mark Catesby, an English gentleman, who resided for some time in 

 America, publislied early in the last century, "The History of Carolina, 

 Florida, and the Bahama Islands." 2 Vols. Folio. This splendid work 

 contains the figures of many fishes, reptiles, birds, quadrupeds, and in- 

 sects, besides plants.| 



Next to him, Dr. Garden, of Great Britain, w^ho, as a respectable 



* in the article on American Zoology in our last No. the name of Prof. Halde- 

 man, as one of the Committee appointed by the Association of Geologists snd Nat- 

 uralists to prepare a work on American Entomology, was inadvertently omitted. 



t There is a fine copy of this magnificent work in the City library of Ualli- 



