On the present state of Zoology. .31 



to do nothing more than to glean such facts as offered themselves to 

 his notice. * It is observed by the great Cuvier, — that the " natu- 

 ral sciences are but collections of facts, and our theories only formulae 

 for embracing a large number of them : hence it follows, that the 

 smallest fact, if well-ascertained, ought to be preserved; since if new, 

 it may serve to modify our most approved theories : the most simple 

 observation may overthrow the most ingeniously-constructed system, 

 and open our eyes to a long train of discoveries, which had previous- 

 ly been concealed from view by received formulae."f 



With the above words, — the words of one whose judgment and great 

 experience entitle him to be heard on such a subject, and who him- 

 self appreciated as it deserved even the smallest endeavour made to 

 promote the advancement of the particular science we have been here 

 considering, — we would conclude these remarks. It was in confor- 

 mity with such views that he himself acted. He was not opposed to 

 theory ; J but he knew enough to mistrust the theories of his own 

 day, and to see the necessity of knowing more to establish their vali- 

 dity. He sought truth only ; and truth is what we also should pro- 

 pose as the end of our researches. We may not all attain to the same 

 brilliant reputation which he earned ; or enlarge as widely as he did 

 the bounds of science. But we may do enough to entitle us to the 

 thanks of those who take a common interest with ourselves in these 

 pursuits. We may throw our mite into the common stock. We 

 shall at least reap the satisfaction which never fails to attend the 

 study of Nature ; and even if our labours should not conduct to any 

 great or very important results, they will yet have been the means 

 of opening to us an inexhaustible fund of rational occupation and 

 amusement. 



Swqffham BulbecJc, April 21, 1836. 



* Many facts of great importance relating even to the most common animals, 

 remain yet to be observed. Thus M. Prevost has thrown much additional light 

 lately upon the habits of the Cuckow, and shown that, notwithstanding the de- 

 gree of attention which this bird had received from naturalists, there was yet 

 much to be learnt respecting its anomalous history. See L'Institut, 1834, p. 

 418. See also an article " on the Importance of preserving Facts connected 

 with the Natural History of Animals," — by Mr Swainson, in the Lond. Quart. 

 Journ. of Science, (New Series) vol. i. p. 83. 



f Hist, des Prog, des Sci. Nat. tome i. p. 5. 



J It has been well said by M. Laurillard, that " he who, in the introduction 

 of his work on fossil bones, remarked, — Wliy may not natural history one day 

 have its Newton ? could not be the enemy of theory." — See some remarks by 

 that writer, in his Eloge on Cuvier, in reply to those who have taunted Cuvier 

 with being a mere collector of facts — Edinb. New Phil. Journ. vol. xvi. p. 360. 



