THE ANIMAL KINIGDOM. 125 
CHAP. VITI: 
INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAVELLERS. 
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 
ErncE the establishment of the menageries of the Jardin des 
Plantes at Paris, and the zoological gardens of London, a new 
| field of investigation has been thrown open to the scientific 
naturalist. In these splendid establishments, the animals are, 
| for the most part, placed in situations:somewhat congenial to 
their nature, and in which their native energies may be partly 
awakened. 
Until the institution of these establishments, it was merely 
the forms of the animals which could be studied, with a sim- 
ple knowledge of their organs. But now we are enabled to 
trace the developement of their sagacity, and instinctive habits. 
These we acquired, in former times, from the accounts of tra- 
vellers, which, it is to be lamented, were frequently garnished 
with imaginary wonders. By this means also we can com- | 
_ pare their manner of living, with their internal anatomy after 
death ; and we acquire certain information on the important 
modes of their copulation, gestation, and birth, and we are en- 
abled to trace the variations which take place in their progress 
from infancy to the mature state, and from that to old age, 
and many other important points. 
Much useful information has been acquired since the institu- 
tion of menageries. This, therefore, ought to be a strong ex- 
citement for travellers to embrace every opportunity of send- 
ing home living specimens of all animals not European. Very 
little is yet known of the habits of animals which burrow in the 
ground. 
The best means of procuring living animals, is by applying 
to the natives of the different countries, who are accustomed 
to their habits, and the situation in which they are likely to be 
