FROM LAMARCK TO ST. HILAIRE 285 



terity — his terms without his genius — a botany 

 and zoology devoid of all higher generalizations : 



An author can have no sadder and more spirit- 

 killing duty than the reading and writing of com- 

 pilations. The teachings of Natural Science have long 

 been standing isolated like the pyramids in the des- 

 erts of Egypt, as if the value of Natural History 

 were not rather the application than the mere pos- 

 session of facts. What have Botany and Zoology been 

 hitherto, but a dry register of names, and what man 

 who has not lost his sense for higher work can find 

 time for these gymnastics of memory? But once re- 

 gard systematic work as a part of Biology, and no- 

 menclature as a means rather than as an end, and 

 both take their place in science, contributing to the 

 whole in which the intellect of man perceives the unity 

 and harmony of Natural Law. Even the work of 

 Linnaeus, as it does not reach the highest point, is 

 mere construction. The author will give opinion and 

 theory a place in this work, but he is far from those 

 who give their dreams and fancies a reality and per- 

 manence, believing that his own theories may perish, 

 and hoping to direct the current of thought in Biol- 

 ogy to adapt itself to Nature, and not to make Na- 

 ture adapt herself to the current of thought. Let us 

 not direct the stream of Nature, but be directed by 

 her. Let us publish a work w^hich will collect the nu- 

 merous thoughts lying scattered throughout the writ- 

 ings of Natural History, and this generalization will 

 have greater value than all the descriptions of new 

 forms. 



