ZOOLOGY. 



41 



Endeavours should be used to ascertain the food generally- 

 consumed by each particular kind ; its time of gestation, the 

 number of young it produces at a birth ; at what age it 

 arrives at full growth ; the diiferences in appearance in the 

 diiFerent sexes ; whether as it advances in age, any parti- 

 cular change takes place in its general appearance, either by 

 attaininij Horns, Tasks, &c. &c. By attending to particu- 

 lars of this kiod, the practical Naturalist will not only 

 obtain a mass of information amusing and instructive to 

 himself as a Philosopher, but most probably of very consi- 

 derable importance to the community at large ; and this he 

 may render entertaining io the highest degree, by giving 

 correct accounts of the modes pursued in different countrieSj 

 to obtain the various kinds of Animals either for food^ 

 raiment, or amusamsnt ; tlie plans adopted to reduce the 

 wild Animals to a slate of domestication, and by stating 

 whether, when so domesticated they continue to propagate ; 

 and what species are in general request either for domestic 

 purposes or exportation. 



It is obvious, that enquiries of this kind cannot fail of 

 ultimately producing general good, as by becoming ac- 

 quainted with the wants and products of distant countries^ 

 the attention of our Merchants and Manufacturers, will be 

 naturally turned to the supplying those wants, and by tho 

 exchanging the manufactures of this country for the natural 

 productions of others^ reciprocal advantages must accrue. 



To facilitate the enquiries of succeeding Naturalists, as 

 well as to afford an opportunity of examination to the Man 

 of Science, many plans have been at various times adopted^ 



