XIV PREFACE. 



the different organs of animals, and determine the 

 functions which are executed, previous to the syste- 

 matical arrangement of the species, than to unfold 

 the peculiarities of the various organs as they occur 

 in succession in the different classes. By this me- 

 thod, the student is made acquainted with the va- 

 rieties of organization and function, and proceeds 

 to the details of methodical distribution, with his 

 mind prepared by general views for conducting the 

 particular investigations. In the distribution of the 

 various groups, the author, after the plan of the 

 " Regne Animal" of M. CUVIER, the most valua- 

 ble of modern systematical arrangements, begins 

 with the perfect animals, and terminates with 

 those which exhibit the most simple organisation. 

 Suppose an opposite plan to be pursued, many diffi- 

 culties must present themselves in the course of the 

 arrangement. As the observer ascends in the scale, 

 new organs develope themselves. These are at first 

 so obscure, that he can neither unfold their structure 

 nor guess at their functions, without being guided 

 by his knowledge of the organs of the higher tribes : 

 hence it happens, that the boasted analytical me- 

 thod becomes, in fact, synthetical ; and the very 

 terms which are employed to express the characters 

 intimate a knowledge of the peculiarities of the high- 

 er divisions. 



