Sect. L] Zoology. 145 



descriptions, and the excellency of his plates, he 

 may even be pronounced superior to Linnaeus 

 himself. After Brisson may be mentioned his 

 countrjman the count de BufTon*, who, thoui;h 

 more sprightly and interesting as a writer, i^i whicli 

 he excels all other natural historians, is far less ac- 

 curate and philosophical. His neglect of regular 

 systematic arrangement is a great defect, and must 

 ever lessen the value of his works. He Mas a 

 zealous cultivator of zoology, and by his splendid 

 publications and captivating style made himself 

 admired throughout the scientific world. And 

 though many of his hypotheses are whimsical, ex- 

 travagant, and delusive, it must yet be allowed 

 that he did much to encourage and forward the 

 study of nature; that he made many observations 

 of great value ; that he collected a multitude of in- 

 teresting facts; and that his works hold a very 

 important place in the zoological history of the 

 age. 



Contemporary with Buffon was Mr. Pennant, of 

 Great Britain, who is unquestionably entitled to 

 a place among the greatest zoologists of the 

 eighteenth century f. By his writings, as valua- 

 ble as they are voluminous, he contributed greatly 

 to the advancement of this branch of natural 

 history. He was the author of a new arrangement 



* George le Clerc, count de Buffon, was l^-n in the year 

 1707, and died in l/SS. 



f Thomas Pennant, LL. D. F.R.S., was born in Flintshire, in 

 North Wales, in the year 1/26, .ind died in 17j_)8. He cultivated 

 Zoology with great ardour, ability, and success ; and w as one of 

 the most voluminous writers of the age. 

 Vol. L L 



