RISE AND PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY. 5 
either of Aristotle or of Linnzus, has been framed, 
it is easy for a host of imitators to follow, each 
making some fresh modifications, or some small 
improvements upon the models before him; and 
thus dazzling the world with @ new system, which 
the inventor would never have composed, had he 
been left to his own unassisted powers of com- 
bination. In estimating, therefore, the respective 
merits of the two classes of naturalists here alluded 
to, we shall be obliged to assign a much lower 
station to some names than has been done by our 
predecessors, and transfer that praise which has 
been bestowed upon them to others whose labours, 
although less brilliant, have more contributed to 
the advancement of science. 
(4.) In reference to the above observations, we 
shall now take a rapid sketch of the history of 
zoology under the following epochs : — 1. Its found- 
ation by Aristotle; 2. From the revival of learning 
to the time of Linnzus; and, 3. From the appear- 
ance of the Systema Nature of Linnzus, to that of 
the Régne Animal by Cuvier. 
(5.) The state of natural history, in the early ages 
of the world, must*ever remain more a matter of 
conjecture and of theory than of positive fact. Some 
acquaintance with the properties of animals was cer- 
tainly possessed by our first parents, who were en- 
abled, by the Divine agency, to assign names to tae 
beasts of the field, and to distinguish such as were 
adapted to their wants. The wisdom of the wisest 
of men, also, was extended to the works of that 
God whom he worshipped; but these and similar 
B 3 
