ON THE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGY. 59 



of arrangements for detaehed parts, in imitation of that 

 which he had framed for the whole ; and in the description 

 of new genera and species. These efforts have been con- 

 tinued to the present day, in a constantly increasing ratio ; 

 but, perhaps, without a due consideration whether any 

 results of proportionate utility to mankind were likely to 

 reward so much pains and trouble. Some, indeed, and 

 among them Linnaeus, were aware that all these artificial 

 systems, without reference to higher objects, were almost 

 lost labour; but they did not attempt to pursue those 

 objects. The ultimate purpose of our researches in natural 

 history is, to penetrate and lay open the secret springs by 

 which the great system of organization, called, ' nature,' is 

 maintained in perpetual activity. Now, towards the accom- 

 plishment of this purpose, the artificial systems, on which 

 so much labour has been bestowed, are hardly the first step. 

 They do not exhibit the science, but an index or register 

 of nature ; which, indeed, has its recommendations of 

 utility in other respects. The assemblage of the numerous 

 facts which are scattered through the works of naturalists, 

 and their combination into a whole, with reference to the 

 purpose just mentioned, and with a view to establishing 

 the laws of life, would possess a much higher value than all 

 the descriptions of new animals and plants, which teach 

 us little more than that they have such or such aj)pearances, 

 and that they occur in this or that corner of the earth. 



If the science of life, and with it some of the most im- 

 portant departments of human knowledge, be destined to 

 make any decided progress towards perfection, it must be 

 by the road of experience, aided and enlightened by general 

 philosophy. The way, indeed, is in some parts difficult, 

 and its length indefinite ; but, whether we reach the end 

 or not, our very efforts, and the active state of mind they 

 maintain, will be" a sufficient recompence; as the pleasure 

 of the chase, and tlie healthy vigour it imparts, reward us, 

 even when the game escapes. 



" The intellectual worth and dignity of man are mea- 

 sured, not by the truth which he possesses, or fancies that 



