THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



125 



CHAP. VIII. 

 INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAVELLERS. 



THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



SINCE the establishment of the menageries of the Jardin des 

 Plantes at Paris, and the zoological gardens of London, a new 

 field of investigation has been thrown open to the scientific 

 naturalist. In these splendid establishments, the animals are, 

 for the most part, placed in situations somewhat congenial to 

 their nature, and in which their native energies may be partly 

 awakened. 



Until the institution of these establishments, it was merely 

 the forms of the animals which could be studied, with a sim- 

 ple knowledge of their organs. But now we are enabled to 

 trace the developement of their sagacity, and instinctive habits. 

 These we acquired, in former times, from the accounts of tra- 

 vellers, which, it is to be lamented, were frequently garnished 

 with imaginary wonders. By this means also we can com- 

 pare their manner of living, with their internal anatomy after 

 death ; and we acquire certain information on the important 

 modes of their copulation, gestation, and birth, and we are en- 

 abled to trace the variations which take place in their progress 

 from infancy to the mature state, and from that to old age, 

 and many other important points. 



Much useful information has been acquired since the institu- 

 tion of menageries. This, therefore, ought to be a strong ex- 

 citement for travellers to embrace every opportunity of send- 

 ing home living specimens of all animals not European. Very 

 little is yet known of the habits of animals which burrow in the 

 ground. 



The best means of procuring living animals, is by applying 

 to the natives of the different countries, who are accustomed 

 to their habits, and the situation in which they are likely to be 

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