PENNANT. 157 



"A Synopsis of Quadrupeds," illustrated with about 

 thirty plates. This was intended as a kind of 

 index to the species of animals described by 

 Bufifon in his great work on natural history. He 

 gradually, however, extended its limits, and in- 

 cluded in it the description of many animals which 

 he had observed in collections or which had been 

 discovered by travellers, and which had been un- 

 known to Buffon. Years afterwards the great 

 Cuvier said of this work, "that it is still indispen- 

 sable to those who wish to study the history of 

 quadrupeds." 



Struck with the interesting nature of the animals 

 of India, which were then beginning to be studied, 

 Pennant commenced a work about them, and 

 twelve plates were completed. But it was a work 

 far beyond the powers and pocket of a naturalist 

 of that date, and it was not completed. A more 

 congenial work was undertaken by him when he 

 rambled about Scotland noticing the habits of the 

 people and the birds. He seems to have observed 

 much that was interesting, and to have published 

 his remarks. Then he began a work on the genera 

 of birds, on the plan of his books on quadrupeds, and 

 this was not completed. He wrote a book on "Arctic 

 Zoology," which was of course a compilation from 

 the works of travellers and foreign zoologists who 

 had visited the countries within the arctic circle. 

 He also received stuffed specimens from different 

 foreign museums. It was a capital book, and it 

 acquired a considerable reputation amongst natural- 



