122 ECHINODERMATA. 



we confide in attempts to shew and describe what is so much more dif- 

 ficult, abstruse, and remote, as the internal organization ? 



In our anxiety for the promotion of science, however, heightened by 

 zeal for the perfection of art, let us be careful of reproaching individuals 

 who may have laudably done all in their power for the embellishment 

 of both. 



Every one in the pursuit of knowledge will find himself opposed by 

 serious if not invincible obstacles. 



I know well, by experience, the general insufficiency of artists ; the 

 rarity of superior qualifications among them ; but the naturalist himself 

 is not to be content with inferior specimens, those selected ought to be 

 brought to their finest condition, and the most favourable position 

 chosen, that they may be viewed to the greatest advantage ; whence we 

 shall learn to prize that dehneation which proves a constant and faith- 

 ful guide to the truth of nature. 



All this confirms the great expediency of careful education in the 

 more dehcate branches of the graphic art, whereof the most interesting 

 application is to reproduce in impressive images the works of the Creator. 



It might blunt the edge of criticism were it calmly considered on 

 how many conditions the uaturaUst is dependent for exhibiting the true 

 quality of his studies. The specimen and all its parts being the best 

 to be obtained, equal perfection must reign in the numerous depart- 

 ments through which its resemblance shall pass previous to preparation 

 for the inspection of the public. 



Dispensing meantime with, farther digression, and avoiding questions 

 of identity, a few general observations may be ofiered regarding the more 

 ordinary species of Echinus, such as are accessible to most observers. 

 Whatever qualities the scientific shall discover in rarities, the same in- 

 terest cannot be found in then* description by the inhabitants of these 

 kingdoms, who may never see them, as in the productions of their native 

 shores. 



