ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IM WEST AFRICA. èS 



NOTE XIV. 



ON THE ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IN 

 WEST AFRICA. 



DIRECTED BY 



H. SCHLEGEL. 

 I. 



January 1881. 



It has always been my opinion that the true science of 

 zoology is entirely based upon an exact and detailed know- 

 ledge of those types in nature to which we are in the 

 habit of applying the term species and conspecies and upon 

 our acquaintance both with the constant varieties and with 

 the individual variations of the species. Indeed the science 

 of zoology lays claim to its full dignity only when it is 

 considered as a subdivision of the immense domain of phy- 

 sical geography. 



These considerations naturally lead to the conclusion that 

 zoological science can only be thoroughly studied in those 

 central collections which contain the greatest possible num- 

 ber of species. Each of these species must there be repre- 

 sented by complete series of perfect specimens, illustrative 

 of all the different phenomena consequent upon difference 

 in age or sex of the individuals , upon difference in season , 

 locality , variety , variation , etc. ^) 



1) The terra "series" in the sense which I give to the word must not he 

 confounded with mere accumulations of specimens, hearing none of the charac- 

 ters above mentioned. 



Notes from the ILieydeu Museum, Vol. III. 



