6 DR. EMMONS’ REPORT. April, 
of a small district, without the labor of years; and this is emphati- 
cally true, when a naturalist attempts to describe all the native animals 
of this country. In the first settlement of a country, where almost 
every thing is new, and all is to be learned, it cannot be expected, 
that correct descriptions of natural objects will be made immediately. 
Much time must necessarily be consumed in the collection of ma- 
terials, and their accumulation is slow ; and besides, it requires a 
certain degree of advancement towards affluence, or at least to be 
above want, before a community will turn its attention to subjects 
not recognized as being of immediate utility. 
The ultimate end however, of the study of zoology, is the dis- 
covery of facts which shall be beneficial to mankind. One reason 
why this result is questioned by any, is, that utility is confined by 
them within too narrow bounds. Another is, that the true method 
of study is not understood, and as it is not known that many things 
are to be Jearned which cannot be shown to be useful, unless they 
are links which will lead to the discovery of other important truths, 
so this class of facts, or this kind of knowledge may be set down 
for nothing. Every one admits the value of method in all pursuits, 
the value of a discriminating mind, or in other words, of a correct 
and sound judgment, and also, what must precede these, a talent 
and a habit for observation. Whatever therefore, serves to develope 
this talent and form this habit, and secure the possession of a sound 
and correct judgment, or in other words, increase the accuracy of 
the power by exercise, will not fail to be appreciated in those studies 
and investigations which are acknowledged to produce these effects. 
These effects follow almost necessarily from investigation in nat- 
ural history ; itis, in fact, impossible to advance a step without the 
adoption of method, or, which is much the same, without science ; 
for we cannot consider a subject according to a method, without also 
availing ourselves of some of the important principles of science. 
Nature, in conferring characters on the individuals of her works, has 
made such a subordination of them, that they may be included in 
certain groups or families, under a few common characters, and in the 
possession of these characters, there is a common resemblance which 
is confined to that group or family, and which is also exclusive of all 
others. The discrimination of character therefore, leads to the ex- 
