69 



lure varies more or less from those of any 

 living being, we are insensibly led to ad- 

 mit that the idea of a chain of beings is 

 neither visionary nor nnphilosophical. 



As naturalists we have much reason to be 

 satisfied with our peculiar position. Placed 

 on a comparatively virgin soil, with new 

 forms and objects constantly presented to 

 our view, suggesting new trains of thought, 

 and giving rise to new associations, we are 

 more highly favored than the naturalists of 

 older countries. As pioneers in the Natural 

 History of the United States, reputation and 

 after-fame, those powerful incentives to ac- 

 tive and honorable exertion, is more imme- 

 diately within our reach than it will be to 

 the numerous naturalists who shall but 

 tread in our footsteps. With such incen- 

 tives before us, let us apply ourselves dili- 

 gently to the work, — 



dum loquimur, fugerit invida aetas. 



In another point of view our situation of- 

 fers some striking advantages. Removed 

 as we are, from the scenes of those rival- 

 ries and contentions, which unfortunately 

 too often intrude even upon the peaceful 



