An Introduction to Zoology, 21 



composition of an auimai so minute as to be invisible to the naked eye, as 

 are yielded by the broad and magnificent survey of the celestial vault. The 

 one draws proofs of Deity from the majestic orrery of the heavens, or the 

 profundities of the earth ; the other elevates them from the actual dung- 

 hill, or the blade of grass beneath our feet. We shall make no apology, 

 therefore, for devoting a considerable portion of our future pages to the 

 sciences relating to organic life, or in other words, to animal and vegetable 

 Anatomy and Physiology. Tliese are pursuits which, above all others, are 

 delightful and profitable to the mind ; they teach the language in which 

 the hieroglyphics of nature are inscribed, and point out by a series of facts 

 within the observation of all, from what minute details the general result 

 lias been deduced, which exhibits the material uorld as a collection of 

 contrivances, all adapted to uniform ends, and in whicii Infinity seems to 

 have descended to the level of man, that he might understand and admire. 

 Such pursuits are a perpetual spring of pure and rational entertainment, 

 not merely unobjectionable, but highly to be praised. 



But before we can introduce to our general readers, in the description 

 of new species or observations upon an old one, such points in the animal 

 and vegetable oeconomy as may appear worthy of their especial attention, 

 we feel that it would be desirable to place before them, as concisely as Is 

 consistent with clearness, a view of the whole animal and vegetable king- 

 dom ; and this, with respect to the former, we propose to do upon the 

 present occasion, commencing from the bottom of the scale of beings. 



As our great object is to make ourselves clearly understood, and to place 

 within the reach of all the means of obtaining sound general information, 

 we shall make use of such materials as may best suit our purpose, or lie 

 nearest at hand. With this view we shall refer for many of our illustra- 

 tions to Dr. Roget's excellent Bridgewater Treatise, by far the best com- 

 pendium of animated nature which has yet appeared ; and which, from 

 the clearness and simplicity of its arrangement, and the number of its 

 marginal illustrations, is highly and deservedly popular. 



The science which treats of the s':ructure of animal organs, of the func- 

 tions which they discharge, and of the laws by virtue of which they ope- 

 rate ; which establishes the relations of animals to each other, and to the 

 exterior circumstances of their life ; and which, by appreciating the difler- 

 ences and resemblances between each, affords a ground for comparison and 

 generalization, passes under the appellation of Zoology. 



Zoology is therefore a science of observation, and in it are imperatively 

 bound up three subsidiary sciences — Anatomy, by which organisation is 

 displayed ; Physiology, by which functions are explained ; and Biology, 

 under which falls the consideration of certain phoenomena, dependent upon 

 the general integrity of the whole, and denominated in the aggregate 

 " life." 



Zoology, therefore, like all other sciences, is based upon a collection of 



