4 
STATE OF ZOOLOGY 
And as each one could append to such a statement his own 
ideas, and follow his own views in explaining the subject, the 
work would thus be rendered more complete, and no one 
would be unduly injured in his own estimation, or discouraged 
from joining in this most useful but most extensive under- 
taking. 
On further considering the subject, I regretted not to have 
proposed it at Turin, as it would have been in favour of such 
a plan, that the many learned members there assembled, might, 
by combining their materials, have erected such an edifice 
with great success. Be that as it may, however, by making 
use of many books and journals to which I had access, and 
also a considerable amount of correspondence, with which 
zoologists in most parts of the world have honoured me ; aided 
too by the inspection of many museums, during my various 
journeys since October last (including a visit to Lyons during 
the recent scientific Congress of France), I am enabled to lay 
before you such notes on the subject as I could collect, hoping 
that you will all be willing to aid in rendering them more 
perfect. 
BMTAIN. 
Commencing with Great Britain, I think I ought, before all 
others, to make mention of the work to which Gould is de- 
voting great study, labour and expense, entitled the “ Birds 
of Australia,'^ and for the sake of which he visited Australia 
with all his family, and remained there more than two years. 
That distinguished zoologist entrusted to me the first number 
of his work, that I might present it to this meeting ; a work, 
as you all see, truly superb and marvellous, and capable of 
adding to a fame which already seemed to have reached its 
ultimatum. He showed me about 500 species of Birds, many 
among them of wholly new genera, and many others belonging 
to genera, which in Europe are very poor in species, such, for 
instance, as Platalea, Himantopus, and others ; all which he 
will figure and illustrate in the truly excellent mode which you 
see in the specimen before you, together vith an account of 
