Notice of British Naturalists. 151 



subjects according to a coarse, outward resemblance ; and ridiculed 

 a more accurate system of classification. 



The mind of man is ever more inclined to follow some one 

 leader, and to lean upon the labors of others, than to strike out 

 truths for itself. Thus it has always happened, that a fondness 

 for certain popular systems has chained down the general intellect 

 to one point. Buffon perceiving the popularity of the writings 

 of Linnaeus, foreseeing to what it would lead, and endeavor- 

 ing to avert this evil, in this way rushed into the contrary ex- 

 treme ; he thus discarded all system but what he chose to call 

 the natural one, " ne seroit — il pas," says he, ''plus naturel, et 

 plus vrai de dire qv^un hie est un dne, et un chat, un chat que 

 de voidoir, sans savoir pourquoi, qiCun ane soit un cheval, et un 

 chat un loup — cervier V 



On Pennant's return home in 1767, he was elected a fellow of 

 the Royal Society ; and in 1768, we find him engaged in pub- 

 lishing a second edition of his British Zoology. Like Ray, 

 he was, throughout life, celebrated for his frequent tours through 

 Great Britain, accounts of which he published from time to time. 

 His object in these journeys was to study natural history in the 

 different parts of the country ; but he paid attention to every 

 thing of interest ; and especially to antiquities. In 1770 he vis- 

 ited Scotland, with the condition of which, strange as it may 

 seem at the present day, the English were then almost unac- 

 quainted, " I had the hardiness," says he, " to venture on a 

 journey to the remotest part of North Britain, a country almost 

 as little known to its southern brothers as Kamtschatka. I 

 brought home a favorable account of the land. Whether it will 

 thank me or not, I cannot say, but from the report I made, and 

 showing that it might be visited with safety, it has ever since 

 been inondte with southern visitors." In 1772, he made another 

 visit to that country, and went as far as the Hebrides. His only 

 companion in these journeys was a self taught artist, whom he 

 supported, and who illustrated his different works with views, 

 engraved in a very excellent style. Besides these trips to Scot- 

 land, he visited Ireland, as well as the north of England and Wales, 

 and published an account of the Topography of London, All these 

 tours he performed on horseback ; a mode of travelling to which 

 he attributed the excellent health which he enjoyed through life. 

 By thus moving about, he acquired much information for his va- 



