xxii PRErACE. 



the spirit of emulation produces the noblest effects, 

 it was truly unfortunate that no previous system or 

 method of natural history was in vogue at the pe- 

 riod of the Linneean discoveries. We shall have 

 ever perhaps to regret that no English name, not 

 even that of Ray, was sufficiently known or ad- 

 mired at the time to be put in competition with the 

 gigantic authority of Linnceus. All minor lumi- 

 naries, indeed, were lost in the blaze of light, which 

 thus at once succeeded almost utter darkness. To 

 widen the field of inquiry, is of itself no small ser- 

 vice rendered to science; and this praise, at least, 

 both Adanson in Botany, and Fabricius in Ento-r 

 mology, have a right to claim. Yet the dazzling 

 power of the Linnaean name has detracted even 

 from the merits of these men, who have secured 

 immortality were it only because they dared think 

 for themselves. It was however this last circum- 

 stance, in fact, which in the eyes of some of oar 

 countrymen constituted their crime, — an unfortu- 

 nate prejudice, since, through it, some future histo- 

 rian of the progress of human knowledge will have 

 to state that England, till within the few last years? 

 stood still at the bottom of the steps where Linnaeus 

 had left her, while her neighbours were advancing 

 rapidly towards the entrance of the temple. To 

 France is the same glory due for having resisted 

 this vis inerticE, that we have seen England obtain 



