REPORT ON ZOOLOGY, 147 



onl)^ in the dental system, and there were some doubts as to whe- 

 ther it should be retained. Now, however, that we find it also 

 characterized by an accompanying difference in the internal or- 

 ganization, its claims to be admitted as a distinct group in the 

 system are considerably strengthened. In another communica- 

 tion this able anatomist has expressed an opinion*, that even 

 such details as tracing the convolutions of the brain "may ad- 

 vance zoology, by bringing to light additional instances of affi- 

 nities between the different groups of Mammalia;" and he 

 grounds this opinion upon the fact of his having observed a re- 

 markable uniformity of structure in this organ, in groups which 

 have been long since well established upon other characters. 

 At the present day, however, it is amongst the lower animals 

 that the researches of the anatomist will most assist zoology. 

 The structure of the higher classes is in general well understood, 

 and it is not likely that any future discoveries in anatomy will 

 much affect our present arrangement of the leadnig groups in 

 those classes, however they may contribute to the perfecting the 

 details of the system. But amongst the Invertebrata it is far 

 otherwise. There we not only find large groups of animals of 

 whose internal structure we know but little, but they are often 

 groups in which the external characters cannot be tiaisted, and 

 in which it becomes necessary to resort to the same organs for 

 distinguishing orders, families, and even genera, which in the 

 Vertehrata would only be employed in characterizing classes, or 

 groups of a still higher denomination. This arises from the much 

 more variable structure of the lower animals, with which there- 

 fore it becomes the more necessary for the zoologist to be ac- 

 quainted. 



Another circumstance which has in some measure resulted 

 from Cuvier's labours relates to the country in which these la- 

 bours were exerted, and their fruits made public. His works 

 have had a manifest influence over his countrymen. Those who 

 surrounded him quickly adopted his new views and principles ; 

 and partly to this circumstance, partly to the magnificent esta- 

 blishment of the Jardin ties Plantes, are we to attribute the 

 gradual rise of a school of zoology ia France, which has ever 

 since maintained the highest reputation. It is only necessary 

 to refer to some of the many valuable works which appeared 

 during the early part of the present centviry, in order to appre- 

 ciate the zeal and success with which zoology was cultivated in 

 that country. Lamarck's Systbme des Animaux sans Vertehres 

 and Philosophic Zoologique, Dumeril's Zoologie Analytique, 

 LatreiUe's Hist. Nat. des Crustaces et des Insectes, the Genera 

 * Zool. Trans., vol. i. p. 136. 



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