THE INTELLECTUAL OBSERYEE. 



MAY, 1862. 



THE PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY. 



BY SHIELEY HIBBEED. 



Zoology may be considered one of the most fortunate of sciences. 

 Like a well-spread table, it lias something to tempt every taste, 

 milk for babes, and strong meat for men. Its subjects are so 

 varied, many of them so familiar, and all of them have so direct 

 a reference to life, that its very theories are romantic, and its 

 facts oftentimes rise to the level of poetry. The affection of a 

 dove for her nestlings, or the persistent faithfulness of a dog 

 following the corpse of his master to the grave, that he also may 

 die there, are matters that scarcely come within the domain of 

 the science to which the modern term "Biology" has been 

 applied, but they represent the sentiment which has been, and 

 still is, the corner-stone of zoological science. The animals that 

 are more immediately associated with man in his enterprises are 

 those in which the most notable variations of form and colour 

 occur ; and the economy of civilization has required a more than 

 casual investigation of the circumstances which influence their 

 welfare, as well as of their relations to each other, The two 

 most natural of all sciences — if such a term may be allowed — 

 are zoology and botany : they deal with the material necessities 

 of human life, with the best adornments of the world, and, 

 above all, with organization. It is the possession of Life that 

 renders a waving blade of grass or a chirping sparrow more 

 attractive than an impassive stone. If there were no stone there 

 would, perhaps, be no sparrow, they are both essential to the 

 oneness of the world ; but the sparrow has consciousness ; it 

 exhibits the working of mysterious instincts ; it moves by 

 volition jper se, and it utters in its chirpings somewhat of an 

 idea. It may be that we are searching after the Principle of 

 Life as if it were a material substance or mathematical entity, 

 forgetful of StahFs definition, putredini contrarium ; but anv 

 way we do search, and not in vain, for at every step some 

 discovery is made which affords encouragement for perseve- 

 rance. But we may adopt the term "natural," as applicable to 

 vol. i. — no. iv. s 



