33 MEMOIR OF 



having been unjustly rejected."* His great 

 principle, and from which he never deviates, is 

 the observation of facts ; comparing them, and 

 endeavouring to discover the circumstances in 

 which they agree to the greatest extent. 



He begins by laying down a great number of 

 general propositions, or aphorisms, which must 

 evidently have been derived from the careful 

 observation of an immense number of phenomena. 

 The following may be regarded as specimens 

 taken from his first book on the description of 

 the parts of animals : 



" Some parts are simple, and divided into 

 similar particles ; while others are compound, and 

 consist of dissimilar elements. 



" The same parts in animals vary in form, pro- 

 portion, and other qualities ; and there are many 

 creatures which, although they have the same 

 parts, have them in different situations. Animals 

 differ in their mode of living, actions, and man- 

 ners : thus, some reside on land, others in water ; 

 and of the latter some breathe water and others 

 air. 



" Those parts which seize the food, and into 

 which it is received, are found in all animals. 

 The sense of touch is common to all/' &c. 



The following is the zoological system ot 

 Aristotle : 



Red-blooded animals. 



Quadrupeds, serpents, birds, fishes, cetacea 

 Maegillivray's lives of eminent zoologist* 



