72 MEMOIRS OP 



ceeding volumes. The fourth volume contains the family 

 of the Joues Cuirassees, many of which, and especially 

 those of the tropical seas, present themselves under extraor- 

 dinary and exaggerated forms, and to which belong the 

 beautiful little sticklebacks of our running streams. The 

 fifth volume embraces the Scienoides ; the sixth, the Spa- 

 roides, and the Menides ; the seventh, the Squammipennes. 

 and the Pharyngiens Labyrinthiformes ; and the eighth and 

 ninth, the Scomberoides. Each volume is closed by the 

 additions and corrections which the authors have found il 

 requisite to make during the progress of their publication ; 

 and I have offered this short list, because it has been a 

 question often repeated, even to myself, how far this nobl< 

 work was advanced when its progress was so grievously ar- 

 rested. It is the intention of M. Valenciennes to proceed as 

 rapidly as possible with the rest, designating those parts 

 which are solely due to the exalted genius, under whost 

 auspices he has become worthy of continuing this extensive 

 and admirable enterprise.* 



In noticing the Ichthyology, I have had occasion to speai 

 of M. Cuvier as the historian of the science to which he 

 was devoted ; and this leads me to mention here, the an 

 nual reports made by him at the institute, in which, frorr 

 the age of twenty-six, he had been accustomed to lay befon 

 that body the labours of its members and correspondents 

 thereby forming a general history of science from that pe- 



* I have always been very much struck with one part of this work, ant 

 therefore cannot forbear calling the attention of the reader to it It is thi 

 way in which M. Cuvier refutes the opinions of M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire 

 who had lone opposed him with considerable warmth. As far as relate) 

 to Fishes, M. Cuvier, in notes at the bottom of certain pages, places Ki ! 

 antagonist's arguments in two columns, and by the side of them, in tw< 

 others, sets forth his refutations. Not a word of personal feeling is added 

 not a single argument is brought in, to aid in persuading the reader that h 

 is right ; there are the two systems, equally exposed, and he who peruse; 

 them, perfectly at liberty to verify and judge for himself. This differena 

 of opinion being 'pursued with acrimony on [several occasions by M. Geof 

 froy, it at last became n matter of discussion before the Institute ; and M 

 Cuvier, who had long remained silent with the most heroic forbearance, a 

 length was induced to reply. After some little time, M. Geoffroy retiree 

 from this direct contest ; but it is to be hoped, that the surviving friends o 

 M. Cuvier will one day publish his opinions separated from his great works 

 so that they may be accessible to those who may not have either time o) 

 opportunity to seek them in the general tenor of his publications. 



