48 



PART II. 



Tha't portion of my work which now lies before 

 me has a grandeur and extent of subject which 

 none but the hfe of M. Cuvier could present, 

 and though I have confined myself to a mere 

 description of his scientific labours, it will, in 

 size, exceed all the others. But thus to follow 

 him through this part of his vast career, thus to 

 show him in the light of a savant, is no easy 

 task; for, though a simple catalogue of his pub- 

 lications might have astonished by its length, it 

 would have been very inadequate to my pur- 

 pose. I have therefore attempted to carry my 

 readers through each undertaking, by giving the 

 outline of every plan, its purport, and its mode 

 of execution ; citing M. Cuvier*s own senti- 

 ments and reflections in order to confirm that 

 which is set forth, and occasionally giving even 

 his own words, as examples of that style which 

 was part of himself. I have also deemed it ad- 

 visable to point out, in as brief a manner as pos- 

 sible, the state of natural history at the time he 

 appeared, that a better estimate may be formed 



