16 PHYSAD^. 



seating a marked contrast to the vulgar, bilious efTusions 

 of such characters as a correspondent of the Entomologi- 

 cal Magazine, who regrets that he is obliged even to cite 

 Lamarck's works !* 



nature has been subjected. ... It is now time for natu- 

 ralists to occupy themselves likewise, in their domain, in 

 inquiring within what limits we can recognise the traces 

 of a divine interposition, and within what limits the phe- 

 nomena take place in consequence of a state of things im- 

 mutably established from the beginning of creation. 



"Let it not be said that it is not given to man to sound 

 these depths: the knowledge he has acquired of so many 

 hidden mysteries in past ages, promises more and more 

 extended revelations. It is an error to which the mind, 

 from a natural inclination to indolence, allows itself too 

 easily to incline, to believe impossible what would take 

 some trouble to investigate. We generally rather prefer 

 imposing limits to our faculties, than increasing their range 

 by their exercise; and the history of the sciences is present 

 to tell us, that there are few of the great truths now re- 

 cognised, which have not been treated as chimerical and 

 blasphemous, before they were demonstrated." — Jlgassiz, 

 in Jameson'' s Journal, 1842. . 



* This author's intellect appears to be sufficiently cob- 

 webbed to enable him to apply vernacular names to shells 

 and insects with great success; one of the methods long 

 since invented to rob Linnaeus of the right of citation for 

 his species. By this means he will be enabled to spare the 

 little liberality he possesses, from the great overstrain to 

 which he is at present compelled to submit it. The use of 



