PREFACE. IX 



but his Prodromus I have never been able to procure, either 

 in England or Paris. 



And here I cannot refrain from adverting to the great 

 number of Zoological publications which have appeared in 

 this country during the last three years; a number far 

 exceeding in proportion that of any period in the annals 

 of the science. Dr. Horsfield has commenced a beautiful 

 work on the Animals of Java ; and Mr. Sowerby is prose- 

 cuting his Genera of Shells with much zeal, and with 

 increased ability. Both these appear periodically. They 

 are conducted on the modern principles of science, and do 

 credit to their authors. The Naturalist's Repository, before 

 alluded to^ likewise appears monthly, but is carried on 

 according to the Linnsean system, pure and unadulterated. 

 All these, however, unite in showing how rapidly the taste 

 for such works has increased. Added to these, a new 

 quarterly Journal, exclusively devoted to Zoology, has been 

 announced, and, if conducted on liberal principles, its utility 

 will be very great. 



But nothing, perhaps, has more fully evinced the state 

 of public feeling on this point among men of enlightened 

 minds, than the discussions which have arisen on the present 

 state of the British Museum. It is a subject on which I 

 might be tempted to say much, did I not feel, that among 

 those who do not know me, I might be suspected of inter- 

 ested or unworthy motives. But from the retirement of a 

 country life, I may now be allowed perhaps to say a few 

 words. It is indeed most true, that, in the Zo/alogical 

 department, this institution is a full century behind the 

 rest of Europe ; I might almost add, of America. But the 

 fault is deep-rooted ; and does not spring from the person 

 (whoever he may be) to whom this overwhelming charge is 

 given. It is ridiculous to suppose that the exertions of any 

 one person (however great his talents, his zeal, and his assi- 

 duity,) are sufficient to discharge the duties of so complicated 



