m 
Zoology, while we have in it several 
new varieties of Jaguars and Cougu- 
ars, 15 new animals in Cuvier’s let- 
ter, a new Salamander, since acknow- 
ledged as very distinct from his 
8. tongicauda , by Prof. Green, &c. 
My tiew views of geology are called 
ignorance; but theirs is darkness 
compared to mine, witness the Ilhi- 
nocerbides 1 
My historical and philological dis- 
coveries are called insane! Thus 
was Champollion insane when he re- 
stored thei Egyptian Antiquities as I 
do the American. The Geographi- 
cal lociety of Paris must have been 
insane to reward my Memoirs on 
American and Asiatic Negroes. Cu- 
vier was insane when he dared to 
make out a Genus out of a single 
bone like myself, but Mr. F. is not 
insane in calling a rolled stone a 
jaw-bone, and making a genus of it! 
I well remember that when I came 
to America, ii 1802, Linneus was 
here as in England, the nee plus ultra 
of Zoology and Botany, while I who 
already belonged to the French 
school founded by Jussieu, Besfon- 
taines, Yentenat, Larnark, Cuvier, 
Patrin, &c. and in my youthful ar- 
dor spoke of the treasures of new 
plants, animals and fossils which I 
saw, of new genera, one! the natural 
families! I was deemed a rash youth 
and innovator by Barton, Muhlen- 
berg, Mitchell, &c. I have lived to 
see my youthful rashness become 
science, and the new school adopted 
in England and America, after 30 or 
40 ybars delays and struggles; I 
may live yet to see my mature insa- 
nity of improving every branch of 
knowledge, become wisdom, in spite 
of the obsolete doctrines and pre- 
sumptuous conceit of such reviewers 
as Mr. F. and Dr. II. The French 
Methodic Schools of Geology, Phi- 
lology, &c. will soon prevail every 
where as they have already, in Che- 
mistry, Zoology and Botany; when 
the stale doctrines of Mr. F. and 
other snails in science, will be for- 
gotten or set aside, like those of the 
17th century; while mine, with those 
of other pioneers and precursors of 
Knowledge will become the leading 
doctrines of this age. 
But I have perhaps, bestowed too 
many lines on such a tissue of ab- 
surdities and false statements as this 
shameful rhapsody contains. It will 
recoil upon itself, and bring discre- 
dit upon the Journal of Geology, as 
the Editor has shown himself neither 
liberal nor competent. 
If Mr. F. has been successful as 
a lecturer, and in other things, he 
has failed as an editor, a man of ge- 
neral science, and even as a Geolo- 
gist. He has disgusted many per- 
sons by his proud and overbearing 
sufficiency. He has been the first 
to assail in myself, one of the most 
peaceful members of society, and a 
devoted friend of Science and 
Knowledge for 30 years past, a Ve- 
teran in Science as he once called 
me. As he is neither a Zoologist, 
nor a Botanist, nor a Philologist, 
nor an Antiquarian, although too 
proud to acknowledge it, he cannot 
understand my labors and rails at 
them, like ignorant men , so often do 
at learning, or whatever is above 
their comprehension. 
The whole drift of his rhapsody is 
to injure me in the opinion of some 
distant readers, compel me to cry 
mercy as intimated, and cry in 
vain ! But my labors are known and 
will be known where those of Mr. 
Featherstonaugh, (or Feather — Stone 
as he is properly called in New En- 
gland, since all his Stones and Bones 
are mere Feathers,) never were, ne- 
ver will be, nor ever can be, since 
he has made no discoveries! while I 
count mine by thousands, having 
been the pioneer of discoveries in 
many natural and historical sciences 
in North America and South Europe 
from 1798 to 1832, having travelled 
20,000 miles, always collecting or 
drawing. My illustrations of 30 
years travels, with 2000 figures will 
soon begin to be published, and be 
superior to those of my friend Audu- 
bon, in extent and variety, if not 
equal in beauty. I shall study and 
