28 THE FOUNDATIONS OF ZOOLOGY 



relation between mind and matter is. I do not know whether 

 the distinction between "things perceived by sense" and "rela- 

 tions apprehended by the mind" is founded in nature or not; 

 but I am sure that natural knowledge is useful to me, that it is 

 pleasant, and profitable, and instructive ; and I must ask whether 

 all this does not show that nature is intended. 



This introductory summary of some of the topics I shall try 

 to handle in the following lectures shows that these topics are 

 neither few nor simple, nor am I so bold as to think that I can 

 set any one of them on a firm foundation ; for, like William 

 Harvey, I do not wish what I say " to be taken as if I thought 

 it a voice from an oracle " ; although I hope it may " stir up the 

 intellects of the studious to search more deeply into so obscure 

 a subject." 



I shall make no attempt at originality, but shall try to give 

 you some of the results of my own study of the thoughts of 

 others. Bacon tells us indeed that it is seldom in our power to 

 both admire and surpass our author; since, like water, we rise 

 not higher than the springhead whence we have descended ; but 

 I cannot agree with him that the attempt to put the thoughts of 

 others in a new dress necessarily leads to the great injury of 

 learning, for we often fail to master the wise thoughts of one 

 who is not of our own times because his turn of words does not 

 fit our point of view. 



All I have to say is anticipated in invention and is varied only 

 by the method of treating it. " For," like Montaigne, " I make 

 others to relate (not after my own fantastie, but as it best falleth out) 

 what I cannot so well express, either through unskill of language 

 or want of judgement. I number not my borrowings, but I weigh 

 them. And if I w^ould have made their number to prevail, I 

 would have had twice as many." But I trust that. Bacon notwith- 

 standing, I have neither corrupted the labors of my predecessors 

 nor contributed to the slavery of the sciences. 



The lectures which follow have been prepared at different 

 times, and for various reasons ; but I hope that, as I have arranged 

 them, they will exhibit unity of purpose, and the logical develop- 

 ment of that purpose, which, in a word, is this : To show to them 

 who think with Berkeley, that " it is a hard thing to suppose 



