168 Dunglison's Human Physiology. 



it would demand, would be, to preserve a sufficient degree of hu- 

 mility in the mind of one, competent by his learning and talents to 

 execute it, to secure him from stating favorite hypotheses as strongly 

 probable, and those which are only probable as established truths. 

 Could a man be found, in whom were united the zeal, industry, and 

 unconquerable love of truth of John Hunter, with a thorough edu- 

 cation which he had not, such a work might be accomplished. 



But to return to the Human Physiology of Dr. Dunglison. In a 

 brief preface, the author states, that the "work was undertaken chiefly 

 for the purpose of forming a text book for his students, in the Uni- 

 versity of Virginia ;" and that " his object has been to offer a view 

 of the existing state of the science, rather than to strike out into new, 

 and perhaps devious paths." This object he has accomplished in a 

 manner highly creditable -to his character for learning, industry, and 

 integrity. The principal favorable qualities of the work are the 

 following. 



In the first place, it is characterized by marks of great extent of 

 research, and by variety of illustration. During the past century, 

 and especially the latter half of it, the animal kingdom has been ex- 

 amined by thousands of highly gifted and industrious observers. 

 These, in the progress of their labors, have peered into the minute 

 recesses of the animal fabric, and have listened to the almost inau- 

 dible sounds given out by its secret workings, and have thus accu- 

 mulated facts, formed opinions, and indulged in speculations, almost 

 without number. These facts and opinions are scattered throughout 

 the periodical and other similar works every where issuing from the 

 press, or they are elaborated by their authors into distinct treatises, 

 or are mingled with other and foreign matter in works upon other 

 branches of natural science. From all these sources, Dr. Dungli- 

 son, with praiseworthy diligence, has collected every thing fitted for 

 his purpose, and has arranged, in their proper order, the various ma- 

 terials which he found. Few facts or opinions of importance have 

 been omitted, and the collection may be safely pronounced complete. 

 At the same time, it is also, especially with regard to opinions, select; 

 for he has judiciously omitted, or mentioned with becoming brevity, 

 many of the thousand theories with which this branch of science has 

 been encumbered by ignorance or incapacity. He has also examin- 

 ed the ancient authors with sufficient attention, and has transferred 

 from them to his pages, much that is useful and interesting. The 

 amount of labor necessary to make such a collection, can be dulv 



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