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he statement, that an enquiry into the bodily pecuharities 

 and manifestation of life in Birds is not more impor- 

 tant, than the investigation and appreciation of the same 

 in other h'ving beings, is irrefutable. - The problem of 

 the comprehension of animal life is a uniform task for 

 all mankind ; and if investigation divides the problem into more or less 

 definite parts, this is only a distribution of labour, v^hich is rendered 

 absolutely necessary by the natural inadequacy of the physical powers 

 of the individual investigator. 



The ultimate aim in the investigation of the parts, as in that of 

 the whole, is one and the same, viz. to apprehend the problem of 

 animal life in its origin, its development and organisation both in itself 

 and in reciprocal action with the other Phenomena of what we 

 call „Nature". 



Our contemplation of Nature leads us, in considering the unbounded 

 manifestations of animal life, to the conclusion that the problem 

 whether in respect of time, space or comprehension, is an inexhaustible 

 one, that the experience of generations does not offer us the full under- 

 standing, the essence of the Phenomena and of their meaning, but 

 only a faint and, in consequence of the many breaks, a loose connexion, 

 the perfecting of which must be made the object of unflagging labour. 



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