100 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



and terrible jaws of the tiger, with the impenetrable 

 cuirass of the crocodile, and the envenomed tooth of 

 the rattlesnake. Finally, all these different attri- 

 butes should be united in a body, combining the 

 grace of the kitten with the majestic calmness of the 

 lion in repose, and adorned with the dazzling colours 

 of the humming bird and the bird of paradise. 



Existing animals exhibit only partial analogies 

 with the imaginary creature, whose principal charac- 

 teristics we have endeavoured to trace. The types 

 of existing species fall far short of this standard of 

 perfection, although some approach it more nearly 

 than others. Hence arise superior and inferior types, 

 and hence also we have widely differing, although not 

 less equally perfect, types. The study of these dif- 

 ferent degrees of perfection of type, and of the 

 subordination to which they give rise, probably 

 presents a greater difficulty than any other branch of 

 zoological research. The success of such inquiries 

 will be greatly influenced by the naturalist bearing 

 in mind the principle of the division of labour which 

 the following comparison may tend to illustrate and 

 explain. 



In the early infancy of human industry, the tiller 

 of the ground turns up the earth with the spade 

 which he has himself forged ; he reaps the flax he 

 has sowed, and cleans, combs and spins it himself. 

 Next he constructs a rude loom, fabricates a rough 

 spindle, and proceeds to weave according to his best 

 ability the fabric which is to serve for his clothing. 

 As time passes he is enabled to provide himself with 

 more perfect tools from some neighbour, who passes 



