CHAPTER III.- 



CABINET OF COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. 



The zoological department has presented us 

 with the remains of animals so prepared, that we 

 may recognize at the first view all the species, 

 and ohserve the slighter differences which distin- 

 guish them, as well as the more striking charac- 

 ters which mark the groupes designated by the 

 names of classes, orders, families and genera ; but 

 the external forms are only a developement of 

 the internal organization, and our general notions 

 are always derived from the indications afforded 

 by these outward forms. Therefore, to establish 

 a general classification in zoology, we are obliged 

 to call comparative anatomy to our aid, in order 

 to ascertain its principles : it is anatomy which 

 determines the relation of the different species, 

 shews the affinities and demonstrates the respec- 

 tive importance of the organs to the general form 

 of the animal, its food, manners and habits. In 

 short, anatomy enables us to compare living ani~ 



