LECTURE I. 15 



occasion, not only to show you what were 

 Mr. Hunter's opinions respecting the prin- 

 ciple vital processes, but also briefly to ex- 

 hibit the extent of his knowledge in Com- 

 parative Anatomy, and to contrast it with 

 that promulgated of late years by Professor 

 Cuvier. I candidly acknowledge, however, 

 that I have little acquaintance with the 

 subject, except what I derived from looking 

 over the preparations in the Museum, from 

 reading Professor Cuvier's lectures, and 

 from the frank and friendly communications 

 of our highly praise-worthy conservator, 

 Mr. Clift. Permit me to say, gentlemen, 

 though many may know it already, that Mr. 

 Clift resided with Mr. Hunter, and was 

 taught by him to exhibit anatomical facts 

 in preparations ; that he does credit to his 

 excellent instructor ; that he feels the same 

 interest and zeal that his patron did for the 

 improvement of this department of science ; 

 and that he possesses the same candour and 

 simplicity of character. I am, however, 

 aware that I may have attended chiefly to 

 one side of the subject, and that my partiality 

 to Mr. Hunter, may a little mislead me ; I 



