21 



gers regret that it is not in their power to accept of his 

 offer, not merely upon the ground that they have lately 

 declined two very respectable offers of the same kind, 

 but that they cannot convince themselves that scientific 

 lectures can be given on physiology, and comparative 

 anatomy, without offence to a part of their audience." 

 Extract from the Minutes, 



Albemarle Street, M. EASINGWOOD. 



9th January, 1809. 



LECTURES 



On the Comparative Fitness of Animated Nature to 

 its Situation and Functions. 



Mr. Este takes the liberty of stating to the managers 

 of the Royal Institution, in reply to the resolution 

 passed upon his proposal at their meeting on January 9, 

 1809, that he should not have trespassed further on 

 their time and attention, but have remained satisfied 

 with their decision, had it not been accompanied with 

 a suggestion to him that certain lectures, " On the com- 

 parative fitness of animated nature to its situation and 

 functions," might be adapted to the plan of their es- 

 tablishment. 



Mr. Este conceives that he may without the impu- 

 tation of partiality, or without seeming to recommend 

 too warmly a favourite pursuit, venture to represent the 

 subject not only as curious and useful, but as likely to 

 afford, if properly treated, no less elegant entertainment 

 than any other branch of science ; he therefore, with a 

 view to meet the wishes of the managers, and in com- 

 pliance with their suggestion, again respectfully submits 

 for their consideration a summary statement of such parts 

 of the subject as he presumes may be explained with 

 propriety and with,advantage. 



STATEMENT OF SUBJECTS. The distinctions be- 



