Epitome of the Progress of Natural Science. 103 



as well as in some other branches, have indeed been found false 

 and imperfect, but they were the general expression of the facts 

 he had observed, his intelligence being only limited by his oppor- 

 tunities. His history of animals is a surprising work ; it is impos- 

 sible to think of this monument of his industry and genius, without 

 offering the greatest tribute of admiration to his memory, by 

 admitting, that whether in his classification of animals, or in his 

 immense number of facts and general propositions, he has almost 

 anticipated all that we owe to modern investigation. We re- 

 luctantly forbear to enter upon the tempting details within our 

 reach ; but to show that his aphorisms are not founded upon 

 a priori assumptions, and that they are the bold results of 

 practical observation, we shall lay a few of them before our 

 readers. 



He observes, that all animals, without exception, are furnished 

 with a mouth,. and that they possess the sense of touch : these 

 two characters, he considers the only ones that are indispensable: 

 but all animals, he states, of whatever species, differ from another 

 species, in the presence or absence of some other character, com- 

 mon to animals. 



All land animals, he observes, have locomotion, but many 

 water animals have not. 



Winged insects which have stings in the head, never have 

 more than two wings ; but those which have stings in the pos- 

 terior part, have four wings. He divides animals into those which 

 have red blood, and those which have not, and forms his groupes 

 in a very natural manner. His class of insects is divided into 

 those having wings, and those without wings. This is the dis- 

 tinction adopted by Linnasus, and prevails at this day. He gives 

 the definition of a genus, by adducing solipeda, or simple hoofed 

 animals. This genus is distinct from all others, and includes 

 those animals only which have a simple hoof, such as the horse, 

 ass, &LC. &.C. Although the Greeks had only become acquainted 

 with the elephant in his own time, he had studied it with his 

 usual accuracy. Experience has shown, that even Buffon has 

 always erred, when he has ventured to contradict this great 

 naturalist, although he lived at a distance of more than two 

 thousand years from the period of Aristotle. His knowledge of 

 fishes appears to have been greater than we possess at the pre- 

 sent day. Of their habits, their mode of generation, their food. 



