102 ON ZOOLOGY. 



species, previously to our entering upon their 

 habits, peculiarities and the structure and func- 

 tions of those organs, by which their lives are 

 preserved, and their various movements regulated. 

 The one, though requiring some exercise of the 

 memory and a patient attention to arrangement 

 and classification, is a subject of much curiosity 

 and instructive amusement. The other, when 

 duly contemplated, a theme of the deepest inte- 

 rest, and most conclusively illustrative of the 

 contrivance, wisdom, and benevolence, by which 

 every part of the creation is so uniformly to be 

 distinguished. 



When we reflect upon the almost endless va- 

 riety of animals which inhabit and enliven the 

 globe, embracing our own species, quadrupeds, 

 birds, the amphibia, fishes, insects, and worms; 

 we shall readily comprehend the difficulty of 

 fixing upon our memories even a moderate pro- 

 portion of their species, without the aid of such 

 a classification or arrangement as founded upon 

 physical resemblances, may qualify us to recog- 

 nize them when brought under observation. And 

 this has given rise to what has been termed a 

 system, or such a division of the subject into 

 parts, primary, intermediate, and subordinate, 

 as may enable us, by a reference to some parti- 

 cular head, gradually to become acquainted with 

 the several individuals of which the whole is 

 composed. 



