308 PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ZOOLOGY. 



distinct trains of enquiry, which have probably grown 

 out of the one he originally commenced, but which he 

 has not yet completed. Against this fascination of 

 being drawn away to new investigations, before he has 

 completed that upon which he first began, the naturaHst 

 should particularly guard himself. It is here that, if he 

 really wishes to make his labours honourable to himself, 

 or beneficial to others, it is here that he should call up 

 a spirit of determined perseverance, and steadfastly 

 resolve to finish what he has begun, before he com- 

 mences a new subject. Let not the syren Procrastination 

 lure him into the belief that he will return again to that 

 which he postpones, with renewed ardour or increased 

 knowledge. Setting aside those minor evils, arising 

 from a want of perseverance, which afreet the indivi- 

 duals themselves, how much have the interests both of 

 science and the public suffered from its peculiar pre- 

 valence among zoological writers ! We may venture to 

 affirm, that, of all the works upon natural history which 

 have been either announced or commenced in this 

 country, within the last few years, not one half have 

 been fairly completed. Not only does the cause of 

 science suffer from this infirmity of purpose in men 

 who have the ability to do her good service, but the 

 evil effects fall both upon the innocent and the guilty. 

 From the great expense attending zoological illustrative 

 works, they are usually published in periodical numbers ; 

 but it now so frequently happens that the major part 

 of these works are discontinued after a few numbers 

 have appeared, that the public, seldom discriminating, 

 set their faces against all such publications ; and those 

 who, on former occasions, have faithfully performed 

 their engagements, are yet looked upon with the same 

 suspicion as those who have acted precisely the reverse. 

 (S?^.) Perseverance in discovering new objects, or 

 new facts, is likewise to be recommended. No branch 

 of human knowledge is more open to such discoveries 

 than zoology : whether we look to the chance of finding 

 new species, or of bringing to light something in the 



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