OCCUPATION OF SCIENTIFIC MEN. 363 
eight universities of Great Britain, who is at present 
known to be engaged in any train of philosophic re- 
search. The two or, perhaps, three naturalists *, who, 
during the last fifteen years, have ventured on such 
classic but now desertéd ground, have unfortunately 
drawn back and relinquished their labours, disgusted 
and disheartened at the indifference or neglect with 
which their works have been received. There are 
few who will bear up against wounded feelings 
and pecuniary losses, even under the conviction 
that they are writing for posterity rather than for 
popularity. Zoology, like all other sciences, is com- 
posed of isolated facts and general inferences. If 
the latter are neglected, there remains only the 
former: and ¢hese, being infinitely various, highly 
curious, and perfectly comprehensible, are thrown 
into amusing compilations, arranged under some 
obsolete system, and are then given to the public as 
specimens of “ the science” of natural history. Such 
is the low tone which this “ science” now assumes, 
merely because no one can be found to act up to 
the recommendation long since given by the secre- 
tary of the Linnean Society, who points to the 
absolute necessity that has arisen for generalising 
the innumerable particulars of which the science of 
zoology now consists. There requires, indeed, a 
concurrence of so many circumstances to favour en- 
quiries of such a nature, — talents, time, experience, 
and independence,—that it is in vain to expect they 
will be prosecuted, if no sort of encouragement is 
given to them either by the public or the nation. 

* M‘Leay. Thompson. Horsfield. Annulosa Jav. 
