BARON CUVIER. 129 



ninth, the Scomberoides. Each volume is closed 

 by the additions and corrections which the au- 

 thors have found it requisite to make during the 

 progress of tlieir publication ; and I have offered 

 this short list, because it has been a question 

 often repeated, even to myself, how far this noble 

 work was advanced when its progress was so 

 grievously arrested. It is the intention of M. Va- 

 lenciennes to proceed as rapidly as possible with 

 the rest, designating those parts which are solely 

 due to the exalted genius, under whose auspices 

 he has become worthy of continuing this ex- 

 tensive and admirable enterprise.* 



* I have always been very much struck with one part of 

 this work, and therefore cuiuiot forbear calhng the attention 

 of the reader to it. It is the way in which M. Cuvier refutes 

 the opinions of M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, who had long 

 opposed him with considerable warmth. As far as relates to 

 Fishes, M. Cuvier, in notes at the bottom of certain pages, 

 places his antagonist's arguments in two columns, and by the 

 side of them, in two others, sets forth his refutations. Not a 

 word of personal feeling is added^, not a single argument is 

 brought in, to aid in persuading the reader that he is right ; 

 there are the two systems, equally exposed, and he who pe- 

 ruses them, perfectly at liberty to verify and judge for himself. 

 This difference of opinion being pursued with acrimony on se- 

 veral occasions by M. Geoffroy, it at last became a matter of 

 discussion before the Institute ; and M. Cuvier, who had long 

 remained silent with the most heroic forbearance, at length 

 was induced to reply. After some little time, M. Geoflroy 

 retired from this direct contest ; but it is to be hoped, that 



K 



