354 PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ZOOLOGY. 



ing the last chapter two or three times over, look upon 

 this as a conversation between us. 



(435.) Whatever may be the department of nature 

 you feel a predilection for studying, you will find that 

 some acquaintance with the general arrangement of that 

 class or division of which it forms a part will not only 

 be interesting, but highly useful. If, for instance, at- 

 tracted by the beauty of their plumage, and by the 

 interest which an observance of their manners gives to 

 a country walk, you fix your choice upon birds, you 

 should begin with understanding what relation they bear 

 to other vertebrated animals ; then, upon looking to the 

 first great divisions of ornithology, you will perceive 

 that the order of Natatores, or swimmers, by constantly 

 living in the water, represent fishes; the Grallatores, or 

 waders, whose habits lead them as much to the land as 

 to the water, typify the frogs and other amphibia ; 

 while the gallinaceous birds, forming the order Rasores, 

 and comprising the peacocks, fowls, pheasants, &c., all 

 distinguished by an uncommon length of tail, find their 

 prototypes among the lizards, crocodiles, and other 

 groups of the order of reptiles. Eagles and vultures, by 

 masticating or tearing their food, resemble quadrupeds ; 

 while the great order of Insessores, or perchers, com- 

 prehending the most perfectly formed of the feathered 

 creation, comprise, of course, the most perfectly organised 

 birds. You thus gain, with very little trouble, a general 

 acquaintance with the rank or relations of your favour- 

 ites, without entering into the further details of those 

 groups with which you compare it. There are, indeed_, 

 few of the large divisions of zoology wherein, at pre- 

 sent, this can be done ; but a general acquaintance with 

 the more obvious analogies is all that we can be supposed 

 to recommend. 



(436.) You may next proceed to acquire an insight 

 into the primary groups, and to understand upon what 

 leading characters they are chiefly founded. Should 

 you be desirous of studying Entomology, a general 

 acquaintance with the manner in which the class 



