314 John Bachman. 



3d. In what respect either in form, habits, or any 

 other characteristics, there is the sliglitest resem- 

 blance in man to the animal kingdom in the same 

 zo<")logical province. 



When we, in 1840, were from a kind of necessity 

 induced to publish our views in one department of 

 science, we were somewhat at a loss to decide on the 

 exact boundaries to which our labours should be 

 restricted. The following were the views which we 

 iinall}^ adopted as most convenient, and in accord- 

 ance with nature. 



"We have arrived at the conclusion, that in un- 

 dertaking the natural history of a country, our 

 researches should not be confined to the artificial 

 boundaries of States — which may be frequently 

 changed ; but by those divisions, the limits of which 

 are fixed by nature, and Avhere new forms mark the 

 effects of a low latitucle and warm climate." '•' * ^' 



We have not seen any reason to change the views 

 then expressed. There are natural boundaries, as 

 Ave have before stated, and they will afford us some 

 aid in our knowledge of the distribution of species, 

 but as each species has its ]:)eculiar range, no boun- 

 daries will be found to apply to all species even of 

 the same genus. ''' ''' '•' 



The labors of naturalists during the last hundred 

 years, in investigating the geographical distributions 

 of animals and plants, were not only liarmless specu- 

 lations, but added considerably to our previous 

 knowledge of the laws of nature. But when nature 

 is distorted for the purpose of advancing a theory' — 

 when selections are made, and figures given of par- 

 ticular species of animals in an imaginary province, 

 to the omission of others, that are more character- 

 istic, and would materially change the whole aspect 

 of the question ; and when under the color of these 

 erroneous views, the opportunity is eagerly seized 



