INTRODUCTION. 
r 
foJIowing the train of thoughts fuggefted; for 
it might be dangerous to build caftles in the 
air, without knowledge founded on repeated ex- 
periments. 
Let us, neverthelefs, acknowledge the fatisfaftion 
and inftru6tion received from that great prof e [for of 
phj^fiology, while we pafs over in filence the flights 
of fancy, the vifions of an eccentric charafter, and 
the errors of an honeft man, whom we love, refpe6f, 
and admire, much as we may differ from him upon 
effential points. 
He it was that earneftly recommended anatomy 
to painters, phyfiognomifts, and all thofe who with 
to know themfelves, and ftudy the human frame.— 
Indeed, he excelled in that liberal art; and, when 
young ftudents find him exprefs his regret for not 
having cultivated it fufficiently, they will feel the 
ne ceffity of devoting their time to a fcience fo clofely 
connetfed with their profeffions. 
The advantages to be derived from a literary 
Effay of this kind, cannot be reprefented in a fairer 
light, than by fuppofing the cafe of a pupil em- 
ployed to paint a fea-port, containing inhabitants 
from different countries ; an ifland full of various 
animals, with feveral kinds of plants; or a battle 
between troops of two contending nations : fuch a 
youth will flatter himfelf with the vain thought of 
having juftly delineated the objects in queltion, by 
B 3 taking 
