48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [XOY. 16, 



Fischer, the Russian naturalist, also hud the same thought — 

 neither knew of the other's possession — a theory that there were 

 double lines of progression, Avhich, deviating, came together 

 again. Fischer published his opinions in 1808. It is an inter- 

 esting fact that four naturalists of different countries, including 

 MacLeay, the publisher of Ilova' Biitonwiogica', and the cele- 

 brated Fries, tlie botanist, equally ignorant of the thought of 

 each other, should all have directed their studies to the same end, 

 demonstrating the existence of one universal law in natural 

 arrangement, and raising zoology for the first time to the rank 

 of a demonstrative science. 



Here, then, near the commencement of the ])resent century, 

 the archives of zoological science exiiibit the well marked 

 commencement of another, the present era. 



'J'he great activity of Cnvier in the earlier part of this century 

 in building up the Jardin des Planlcs soon led to the ])repara- 

 tion by the French government of extensive exploring expedi- 

 tions. Napoleon patronized the sciences with great liberality, 

 always selecting eminent academicians for the various staff aj-)- 

 ]iointments in s])ecial departments of science. Savigny, Pcron, 

 Quoy and Gaymard, Ltmgsdoff, and Lcsueur wei-e among them. 



Bi'itish entomology had been handsomely treated by Kirl)yand 

 Spence. They broke away from the Linnfean bonds, and to-day 

 their works are valued for considerable excellence. Dubyell, in 

 his observations on the Planarim, in 1818, exhibits a happy 

 faculty for investigating the habits of aquatic animals. Le:ich 

 on the annulose animals is an important work. DeBlainville 

 and von Baci', Rathke and Wolff were identified with embi-yol- 

 ogy. Later, Corte, Bischoff, Kcichart, Kulliker, Vogt, and 

 Agii'ssiz gave attention to the subject. 



in 180"^, the Chevalier de Lamarck produced his remarkable 

 doctrines and speculations, embracing among other views the be- 

 lief that certain variations in species are produced under the 

 influence of external agencies. Li fact, the doctrine of evolution 

 liei'e fir.st found definite expression. 



In 1809, his Pliilosopliie Zooloqique was issued; but this Avas 

 long anterior to the time when the microsco})e, the sciences of 

 emljryology, of histology, the doctrine of the cell, and before the 

 ]irinci])les of palceontology were established. Lamarck and his 

 tlieories had fallen into obscurity; his doctrines had Ifcen re- 

 ceived with contempt. 



Over a half a century has ])assed; Darwin, "Wallace, and 

 the botanist Hooker have revived the doctrine of variation, and 

 insist on its application. Tiie theory of natural selection put 

 forth by Darwin, and its unprecedentedly rapid adoption, is one 

 of the best known circumstances of the present day. 



