S56 PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ZOOLOGT. 



that, if he first makes himself acquainted with the lead- 

 ing characters of the great or primary divisions of 

 entomology, he will be at once prepared to commence 

 this search among the families or the sub-families, and 

 thus abridge a great part of his labour. The adage 

 says, the longest way at first is the nearest at last ; and 

 so the beginner will find in the case we have just 

 instanced. To learn names by rote is parrot-like ; it 

 farther partakes of the scansorial nature, by teaching 

 him to be climbing over the wall, instead of pursuing 

 the regular road to knowledge. 



(438.) Distinguishing names have been assigned to 

 the study of distinct portions of the animal kingdom, 

 and are employed to designate its different branches. 

 The study of the Mammalia, or quadrupeds has been 

 termed Mammalogy, that of birds Ornithology, that of 

 reptiles Erpetology, and that of fishes Ichthyology. 

 Entomology has been usually applied to the study of all 

 the annulose class, although it might be as well, perr 

 haps, were it limited to true insects. Conchology, in hke 

 manner, designates the study of shell-fish. The studies 

 of the radiated and of the polypous animals have not yet 

 received distinguishing names. The use of these terms 

 is of much convenience, and will be employed in the 

 following hints. 



(439.) The study of quadrupeds, although they form 

 the most important division of all animals, is not 

 particularly inviting. Those of our own country are 

 very few, and come not daily before us ; while those of 

 other countries are but thinly scattered in public 

 museums, or are merely seen, in a state of confine- 

 ment, in travelling menageries or zoological gardens. 

 The species, moreover, from their comparative fewness, 

 have been better investigated and are more thoroughly 

 known, than those of any other class. Travellers, or 

 those who reside out of Europe, may yet make im- 

 portant discoveries, both as to new species, or by supply- 

 ing information on the natural habits of such as are 

 already known. The latter, indeed, even as regards 



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