ELEMENTARY COURSE 



OF 



ZOOLOGY. 



PRELIMINARY IDEAS. 



1. Object and Utility of Natural History. Natural 

 History is that science which treats of the structure of bodies 

 spread over the surface of the globe or forming its mass 

 the phenomena exhibited by these bodies, the characters 

 by which they may be distinguished from each other, and 

 the part they play in the entire creation. Its range is im- 

 mense, and its importance is not inferior to its extent. Some, 

 but little acquainted with science, see in natural history 

 merely a collection of anecdotic facts, more calculated to 

 excite the curiosity than to exercise the understanding, or 

 a dry study of technical terms and arbitrary classifications. 

 Such an opinion is based on ignorance : and the utility of 

 the study of natural history cannot fail to be recognised by 

 all who possess even the preliminary ideas of the science. 

 The grand and harmonious view it presents of Nature, 

 whose beau ideal is so much superior to that of human 

 invention, tends to elevate the mind to lofty and sound 

 thoughts. The knowledge of ourselves and of surrounding 

 objects is not given merely to satisfy the desire for learning 

 which develops itself always according as the intelligence 

 enlarges ; it forms a necessary basis to many other studies, 

 and is eminently calculated to give to the judgment that recti- 

 tude in the absence of which the most brilliant qualities lose 

 their value, and in the course of life lead the mind astray. 

 On the other hand, to be convinced of the practical importance 

 of the natural sciences, we have only to look to geology and 

 mineralogy, and the services they have rendered to industry ; 

 to botany, and to the myriads of beauteous and useful plants 



