GERMAN VERSION. 9 



instituted his inquiries, in order to observe how they may 

 harmonize Avith those instituted at an earher period in 

 the same or in other fields, and that, together with 

 the observations themselves, he should give a general 

 view of those departments of Nature which he has been 

 able to inspect, and indeed in the colours in which he 

 believes he himself has seen them. By this method alone 

 does a collection of many facts become of value ; but this 

 mode of generalizing is only of use when it assists in the 

 assimilation of observed facts. The one subjective view 

 follows the other, and is distinct from it : the one affords 

 to the half or wholly ascertained facts, which may be 

 compared to crude nutriment, a saliva ; the other, bile or 

 pancreatic juice ; and in this way Science, which by means 

 of our periodicals had been oppressed and become dys- 

 peptic with too much raw food, is relieved from her 

 load. 



With respect to the mode or way in which I should 

 msh my Essay to be read, I may be allowed to remark, 

 that the " Explanation of the Plates" is so arranged that 

 it may be read through, while at the same time the plates 

 are looked over, so that before perusing the work itself 

 the reader may acquh'e a notion of its contents, and, if he 

 be not a professed naturalist, he will thus be much as- 

 sisted in his study of the subject. 



In conclusion, I request indulgence for the terms which 

 I have been obliged to invent for the expression of new 

 ideas, which could not otherwise be expressed in the 

 German or Danish language ; they are, in fact, but few, 

 although their number will be increased should the views 

 I have sought to establish be confirmed. 



I cannot flatter myself that the exposition might not in 

 several places have been much better given than it is, but 

 I have spared no pains in making it as clear as I could ; 

 with respect to this, I have to thank my friend, the natu- 

 ralist J. Reinhardt, jun. not a little, who in the kindest 

 manner undertook the not inconsiderable labom' of re- 



