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the present, as far as the man of the present transcends 

 all or any of the varieties that ever went before them. 



Such are the conclusions to which our inquiry 

 legitimately leads, and which, when rightly viewed, 

 have practical as well as mere theoretic bearings. 

 We say practical bearings, for no subject, however 

 novel or sensational, can secure a position among the 

 sciences, or excite a general interest, unless it has 

 something real and practical to recommend it. 

 " Philosophy," as has been well said, " is never more - 

 exalted than when she stoops to administer to 

 humanity." From a knowledge of our zoological 

 relations, then, we may learn more fully the nature 

 of the bond that connects us with our fellow-creatures, 

 and the offices towards them we are bound to per- 

 form. Linked to them by the closest biological ties, 

 yet raised above them by higher physical and mental 

 adaptations, we have manifestly duties, towards them ; 

 and these duties must surely have a deeper signifi- 

 cance to the mind of one who knows all this, than to 

 the mind of another who remains unfeelingly ignorant 

 of the relations that connect him with the rest of 

 vitaKty. What are equally with ourselves the objects 

 of God's care cannot surely be beneath our considera- 

 tion; and the more intimate and intelligent this 

 consideration, the better will we be enabled to shape 



