354 PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ZOOLOGY. 
ing the /ast chapter two or three times over, look upon 
this as a conversation between us. 
(435.) Whatever may be the department of nature 
you feel a predilection for studying, you will find that 
some acquaintance with the general arrangement of that 
class or division of which it forms a part will not only 
be interesting, but highly useful. If, for instance, at- 
tracted by the beauty of their plumage, and by the 
interest which an observance of their manners gives to 
a country walk, you fix your choice upon birds, you 
should begin with understanding what relation they bear 
to other vertebrated animals ; then, upon looking to the 
first great divisions of ornithology, you will perceive 
that the order of Natatores, or swimmers, by constantly 
living in the water, represent fishes; the Grallatores, or 
waders, whose habits lead them as much to the land as 
to the water, typify the frogs and other amphibia ; 
while the gallinaceous birds, forming the order Rasores, 
and comprising the peacocks, fowls, pheasants, &c., all 
distinguished by an uncommon length of tail, find their 
prototypes among the lizards, crocodiles, and other 
groups of the order of reptiles. Eagles and vultures, by 
masticating or tearing their food, resemble quadrupeds ; 
while the great order of Insessores, or perchers, com- 
prehending the most perfectly formed of the feathered 
creation, comprise, of course, the most perfectly organised 
birds. You thus gain, with very little trouble, a general 
acquaintance with the rank or relations of your favour- 
ites, without entering into the further details of those 
groups with which you compare it. There are, indeed, 
few of the large divisions of zoology wherein, at pre 
sent, this can be done ; but a general acquaintance with 
the more obvious analogies is all that we can be supposed 
to recommend. 
(436.) You may next proceed to acquire an insight 
into the primary groups, and to understand upon what 
leading characters they are chiefly founded. Should 
you be desirous of studying Entomology, a general 
acquaintance with the manner in which the class 
