231 

 SUPPLEMENT ON THE QUADRUMANA. 



The reader must have perceived by this time the 

 truth of our observation relative to the " Regne Ani- 

 mal" of Cuvier, — namely, that it is little else than a zoo- 

 logical catalogue arranged on peculiar scientific princi- 

 ples, and that considered as a natural history, it is 

 meagre in the extreme. We do not intend by this remark 

 to cast any reflection on our author, who cannot be made 

 responsible for any thing more than the fulfilment of his 

 original intention ; but it is incumbent upon us, not to 

 supply the deficiencies of Cuvier, for properly speaking 

 there are none, but to fill up in the best manner we are able, 

 the outline which he has sketched with a master's hand. 

 Willing, however, that the reader should be in complete 

 possession of this outline, we have determined to keep the 

 translation of the original and our own additional matter 

 and reflections altogether separate : a plan which, though 

 most evidently calculated to secure satisfaction to the 

 reader, involves in the execution no small degree of diffi- 

 culty to the writer. 



The part assigned to every animated being on the great 

 theatre of the universe, however humble, however subordi- 

 nate, affords a theme of instruction and reflection to the 

 thinking and philosophic mind, and when viewed in con- 

 junction with the anatomical peculiarities of the species, 

 while it exhibits the harmonious adaptation of means to 

 ends, displays also the contrivance, wisdom, and power of 

 the Creator. 



Fully to profit, therefore, by the study of zoology, animal 

 biography and comparative anatomy must accompany each 

 other. The key to the latter is systematic arrangement, 

 and to this, in his ' Regne Animal' at least, has Cuvier con- 

 fined himself. The former, in a comprehensive and com- 



