Nomencluture of Ornithologi/. 20 1 



timents, and express them in language, intelligible to those who 

 are confessedly the most eminent Zoologists of our age. It is need- 

 less to point out how little until lately this country has eifected in 

 Zoology since the times of Ray, in comparison with our continental 

 neighbours, to entitle us to arbitrate on such points. Better is it to 

 endeavour to wash away the national reproach, than to expose or 

 lament it. And I hail with pleasure that spirit which is now be- 

 ginning to spread itself among our naturalisis, and that rising school 

 of Zoology which promises fair to retrieve the past. But let not 

 its earlier exertions be cramped by any narrow restrictions. Let 

 no national jealousies, no rival animosities, interfere to prevent 

 the full expansion of its powers. Let not England disdain that 

 knowledge to which France or any other country has led the way. 

 Natural science, like that nature which it illustrates, should acknow- 

 ledge no boundary lines : — its views must never be regulated by 

 parallels of latitude or longitude. We may establish a school of our 

 own, and pursue our views according to our peculiar principles : but 

 let us not refuse admission to whatever light may beam upon us 

 from any other quarter. Let us, if we please, select the parent 

 stock of the Linnean system as the foundation of our own, — and 

 a nobler or more perfect could not be chosen ; — but let us engraft 

 upon it every scion of value, that may add embellishment to its 

 blossoms, and richness to its fruit, without regard to the clime in 

 which it has been raised, or the particular mode of nurture by 

 which it may have been originally cultivated. Thus shall wc go 

 forth to our labours with unfettered strength, and shall enter the 

 field of science at least on an equality with our fellow labourers. 

 But let us enter it, not as rivals, not as jealous competitors, not 

 with opposing views, not with clashing interests, — surely the world 

 of science is wide enough for all, — but as generous co-operators 

 in the same enlightened cause, animated by the same enthusiasm, 

 inspired by the same hopes, and seeking the same reward of our 

 common labours in the advancement of that science, which is 

 equally the delight, and the pride of us all. 



r have the honour to be, gentlemen, &c. &c, 



N. A. ViGons. 

 Vol. I. o 



