Natural History. 1 1 5 



plated without admiration. He described many 

 new animals, and formed a new arrangement and 

 nomenclature, in many respects original, and 

 in general greatly superior to any that had gone 

 before him. From this period writers on the va- 

 rious departments of the animal kingdom began 

 rapidly to increase in number, in the extent of 

 their information, and in the accurate and philo- 

 sophical aspect of their descriptions. 



Soon after Linn^us appeared M. Klein, of 

 Dantzic, who warmly opposed a number of the 

 alterations proposed by that illustrious naturalist, 

 and signalized himself as his adversary. Klein 

 gave to the world a new method of classification, 

 rounded on the toes, hoofs, &c. and by his multi- 

 farious works, on almost every department of 

 zoology, which he treated both systematically and 

 physiologically, rendered very important service to 

 the science. About the same time flourished M. 

 Brisson, a French naturalist of very high character, 

 and whose publications, particularly on Quadrupeds 

 and Birds, rank in the first class on their respective 

 subjects. Indeed, in the accuracy of his descrip- 

 tions, and the excellency of his plates, he may even 

 be pronounced superior to Linn^us himself. After 

 Brisson may be mentioned his countryman the 

 Count DE BuFFON, who, though more sprightly 

 and interesting as a writer, in which he excels 

 all other natural historians, is far less accurate and 

 philosophical. His neglect of regular systematic 

 arrangement is a great defect, and must ever lessen 

 the value of his works. He was a zealous cul- 

 tivator of zoology, and by his splendid publica- 

 tions and captivating style made himself admired 

 throughout the scientific world. And though many 

 ot his hypotheses are whimsical, extravagant, and 

 delusive, it must yet be allowed that he did much 

 to encourage and forward the study of nature; 



