144 FOURTH REPORT 1834. 



on the state of zoology in the early part of the present century, 

 and the circumstances which have led to the introduction of those 

 principles upon which it is now studied. 



I. Introduction. 



It is now generally acknowledged, that the true and legitimate 

 ohject of zoology is the attainment of the Natural System ; and 

 we may attribute it to this circumstance, and the consequent 

 close investigation of structure and affinity to which it has led 

 naturalists, that so striking a change has been effected of late 

 years in this science, causing it to assume an aspect at once cha- 

 racteristic of a distinct epoch in its history. Little else ap- 

 peared to be the aim of Linnaeus and his followers beyond 

 that of distinguishing sjiecies, and classing them simply in 

 accordance with some law of arrangement arbitrarily assumed 

 in the first instance, and too often pertinaciously adhered to in 

 utter disregard of the general organization ; and although it may 

 have been their endeavour to group together those species a- 

 niongst which there appeared a certain resemblance, yet they 

 did not hesitate in numberless instances to associate in the same 

 class and order, and often in the same genus, beings of the most 

 discordant nature, rather than renounce the principle which they 

 had adopted for their guide. It is undoubtedly to Cuvier that 

 we are most indebted for the striking improvements which be- 

 gan to be made upon the Linnaean system towards the close of 

 the last century*. This great master of modern zoology saw 

 the importance of studying the entire organization of animals. 

 He ti-aced the connexion which subsists between their internal 

 and external structure, observed how these accorded with their 

 habits and oeconomy, and perceived that in grounding a classi- 

 fication of animals upon characters taken from these sources col- 

 lectively, we should make a near approach towards grouping 

 them according to their true and natural affinities. Daubenton 

 and Pallas had already furnished some materials for such an un- 

 dertaking, and by their exact descriptions, paved the way for a 

 more complete knowledge of animal structure ; but it was re- 

 served for Cuvier to erect the building of which they may be 

 said to have only laid the foundation. Commencing with a re- 

 investigation of the invertebrate animals, which, according to the 

 statement of the French naturalist, Linnaeus had left in a state 



• It is not meant that there were none others besides Cuvier who had any 

 share in effecting this change, but only that he appears the most prominent. 

 Bruguieres, Geoifroy St. Hilaire, Latreille, and Lamarck, especially the last, all 

 contributed to this end in their several departments. The labours of some of 

 these naturalists will be alluded to further on. 



