1847.] On Various Genera of the Ruminants. 685 



On Various Genera of the Ruminants, by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., 



Dorjeeling. 



That there are more false facts than false theories in science is the 

 profound remark of an eminent philosopher, and a remark which it is 

 peculiarly incumbent on the real student of Nature needfully to hear 

 in mind in relation to Mammals, because genuine wild specimens exhi- 

 biting the mature and characteristic marks of their species are to be 

 had but rarely and accidentally (owing to the progress of cultivation in 

 all but utterly savage lands) ; whence has resulted almost necessarily a 

 host of descriptions which, being drawn from very imperfect materials, 

 are inadequate to fix the species, and a host of generalizations which, 

 being deduced from such descriptions, are, of course, imperfect as 

 generic designations. 



Such imperfect descriptions of species, and consequent defective (by 

 omission and error) designations of them when thrown into classes or 

 groups, are to be found in works of the highest authority ; and, though 

 the causes of these short comings are obvious and not wholly matter* 

 of reproach to our eminent guides in Zoology, yet is it very desirable 

 now and then to caution the ordinary observer against them, lest im- 

 plicit reliance upon high authority should cause his attention to slumber 

 or somnambulize when it is of the utmost importance that that atten- 

 tion should be wide awake and directed towards all the points to be 

 observed ; for, the phcenomena being as scattered as they are numer- 

 ous, and capable of being adequately noted only at the time and place 

 of their rare and lucky occurrence, it is the one thing needful to the 

 sound progress of the science whose business is with such phcenomena 

 (the structures and the habits of wild animals) that alert observers 

 should exist every where, in order that the rare occasions of observation 

 be not lost. 



* Not so in so far a3 the phoenomena are casual, rare, and eminently dependant on 

 time and place and lucky accident for means of adequate observation — but really so in so 

 far as these persons have taken no measures whatever to enable those whose positions are 

 favourable to the observation of such phoenomena to make the right use of their unique 

 opportunities. This is the opprobrium of Zoological Societies, and a most grave one it 

 is, though one from which many of the most eminent writers on Zoology are free, as 

 having nothing to do with Societies. 



