8 



without even attempting to secure specimens for comparison, 

 is a perpetual .source of erroneous conclusions in the study of 

 the geographical distribution of organised beings, not less 

 detrimental to the progress of science than the readiness of 

 others to consider as identical, animals and plants which may 

 resemble each other closely, without paying the least regard to 

 their distinct origin, and without even pointing out the 

 differences they perceive between specimens from different 

 parts of the world. The perfect indentity of animals and 

 plants living in very remote parts of the globe has so often 

 been ascertained, and it is also so well known how closely 

 species may be allied, and yet differ in all the essential 

 relations which characterize species, that such loose investiga- 

 tions are no longer justifiable." 



It is important to observe that in cases of close identity, 

 real or apparent, between animals, accurate observation of 

 their respective habits and other circumstances connected with 

 their life-history will frequently materially assist to a right 

 conclusion. 



From the foregoing observations the following conclusions 

 may be drawn :- That the knowledge of Natural History may 

 be largely promoted by those " who go down to the sea in 

 ships," by the collecting of specimens, whereby new kinds of 

 animals may occasionally be obtained ; by recording the time 

 when, and places where they occur, thus adding to our know- 

 ledge of their distribution ; by observing their habits and 

 mode of life, thus filling up many a blank page in the history of 

 animated beings, and often assisting materially in elucidating 

 their true relations to other animals ; while occasionally it 

 may happen that specimens, or information relative to habits, 

 may be preserved, of animals which may, in no long time, 

 become extinct, as have several large species of birds during 

 the last 20 years, as the great Auk, (probably) the Philip 

 Island Parrot, the Didunculus, &c., and perhaps the Moa of 

 New Zealand. 



