X PREFACE. 



an office. Such a supposition implies the expectation of a 

 moral impossibility ; and so long as such a Herculean task 

 is allotted him, so long will the Museum continue, with 

 little alteration, in its present state. Where we have one 

 Zoologist, the museums of Paris, Berlin, and Vienna have 

 many; each is charged with the care of one particular 

 branch ; and, by their united efforts, the whole is dis- 

 played to the examination of the scientific, and to the 

 view of the public. Each professor has thus leisure to pro- 

 secute the most important objects of his duty ; i. e. to 

 examine, compare, and describe, to detect analogies, to 

 investio-ate affinities, and to give to the world the fruits 

 of his studies. To France more particularly this honour 

 is due. And what has been the result? Why, that Paris 

 has become the Zoological university of Europe; and that 

 the principles which have emanated from it, are now con- 

 sidered the only true ones by which Nature is to be studied. 



It is not my object to attach reproach to any body of 

 men collectively, or to any one individually ; but truth is 

 not to be concealed. Every writer who has the advance- 

 ment of his favourite study at heart, is bound (however 

 feebly) to advocate its cause. The truth of the preceding- 

 remarks cannot be questioned ; and it remains with those in 

 power, to consider well, whether such a state of things is 

 consistent with the honour and reputation of the country ; 

 with the justice due to those great men who founded the 

 institution ; and to the expectations of the public, by whom 

 it is supported. 



Warwick, October, 1823. 



