C 379 3 
XXIII. Account of the Organ of Hearing in Fijh . 
By John Hunter, Efq. F. R . S. 
Read Nov. 14, 1782. 
N ATURAL hiftory has ever been con lidered as worthy 
the attention of the curious philofopher, and therefore 
has in all ages kept pace with the other branches of know- 
ledge ; and as both arts and fciences have, of late years, been 
cultivated to a degree, perhaps, beyond what was ever known 
before, we find alfo, that natural hiftory has not been neg- 
lected ; all Europe appears to be awake to it. In this ifland it 
has been purfued with more philofophic ardour, than what was 
ever known in any country. It has become the ftudy of men 
of independent fortunes, who not only fpend their fortunes 
in the cultivation of this fcience, but have rilqued their health 
and lives in purfuit of it, fearching unknown regions to im- 
prove mankind, fettling correfpondences every where, fo as to 
bring in its materials into this country, in order to make it the 
fchool of natural hiftory. It is no wonder, then, that a fpirit 
of inquiry is difFufed through almoft all ranks of men ; and 
that though many cannot purfue it themfelves, yet they are 
eager to know what is already known, chufing at lead: to 
benefit by the induftry of others. 
Thefe reflections have induced me to trouble this learned 
Society with a fhort account of the Organ of Hearing in 
D d d 2 Fifli, 
