NATURAL HISTORY. 



and if you appear doubtful about the matter, consult some books, or note it in your 

 common-place book, so that you may consult some scientific friend upon the subject, 

 when an opportunity occurs. 



If you desire to be a naturalist, if you wish to excel your equals or betters, if you 

 would gain a wreath of fame ; remember that the worm of idleness will destroy the 

 result ol your previous labours, undermine your plans, and eat away the green leaves 

 you have ordained for your brow. It has been said thai " it is a mistake to imagine 

 th it only the violent passions, such as love and ambition, can triun.ph over the rest 

 Idleness, languid as she is, often masters them all; she, indeed, influences all our 

 designs and actions, and insensibly consumes and destroys both passions and 

 virtues." Beware of her influences; live like a hermit; work like a slave; bow to 

 experience; store your golden grains of knowledge ; confirm reading by practice; 

 and. whatever method you adopt, first draw out your plan, and then abide by its PRIN- 

 CIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION. 



GENERAL QUESTIONS ON RETROSPECT. 



1. WHY have some naturalists excluded 



from the animal kingdom ? 



2. AY by have Cuvier, and others, in- 

 i^U'ied Man in the animal kingdom? 



3. What objections does Swainson urge 

 aprainst Man being classed with the 

 Mammalia ? 



4. Why is the system of Cuvier recom- 

 mended by GRANDFATIIKR WHITF.IIKAD .' 



5. How does Lamaik err in his classifi- 

 cation ? 



[The pupil should, if sufficiently advanced, 

 t:ivu :he division proposed and adopted by 

 M. Virey.] 



fi. How is the classification of Cuvier 

 arranged ? 



7. Are the primary types of nature very 

 numerous 1 



8. Can we readily distinguish a cat from 

 a sloth ? 



9. Is there anything very peculiar about 

 a vertebra ? 



10. What can we learn from the examina- 

 tion of a vertebra ? 



11. What is the object of Natural 

 Systems ? 



12. What Natural Systems are the best? 



13. Why has the arrangement of Cuvier 

 been blamed ? 



14. Is anatomy essential to a naturalist 7 



15. Is there much difference between an 

 ant, a bee, and a beetle ? 



16. State how these insects differ? 



17. What should naturalists always havt- 

 in view ? 



18. What arc the best means to adopt tc 

 become a naturalist, or student generally ? 



