1 22 FISHES OP THE SILURIAN ROCKS, ETC. 



the use of reason, — how its infant faculties began to work, 

 and how they brought forth and ripened all the various no- 

 tions, opinions, and sentiments which we find in ourselves 

 when we come to be capable of reflection, — this would be a 

 treasure of natural history which would probably give more 

 light into the human faculties than all the systems of philo- 

 sophers about them since the beginning of the world. But 

 it is in vain," he adds, " to wish for what nature has not put 

 within the reach of our power." In like manner, could we 

 obtain, it may be remarked, a full and distinct account of a 

 single class of the animal kingdom, from its first appearance 

 till the present time, " this would be a treasure of natural 

 history which would cast more light" on the origin of living 

 existences, and the true economy of creation, than all the 

 theories of all the philosophers " since the beginning of the 

 world." And in order to approximate to such a history as 

 nearly as possible, — and it does seem possible to approximate 

 near enough to substantiate the true readings of the volume, 

 and to correct the false ones, — it is necessary that the real 

 vestiges of creation should be carefully investigated, and their 

 order of succession ascertained. 



