ON THE VALUE OF PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
2SD 
decidedly to the effect that description was far superior to delineation—and that 
the former was the sole legitimate source for the student to trust to. 
Since that time, in some remarks 44 On the Popularity of Natural History,” I 
have stated my opinion that good plates are powerful adjuncts in the study of 
every department of Natural History; I have therefore recommended their 
employment to the student as aids to his unassisted efforts; and I consider 
them in many cases indispensable, because language is often inadequate to convey 
to the mind those minor details which involve the subject in doubt, though doubt 
is dispelled in a moment by the examination of a good plate. In promulgating 
this dictum, I really thought that if it did by possibility incite a few more 
persons to purchase the works of the confessedly ill-remunerated authors of 
illustrations in the various departments of Natural History, some little good 
might be effected. Mr. Rylands, however, is not content to let the matter 
remain in quiescence, but, resolute in his former expressed opinion, now goes 
further, and at page 8 of the present volume of The Naturalist , takes up a position 
44 On the Abuse of Prints in Works of Natural History.”—The opinion of a skilful 
observer and learned and logical reasoner, as Mr. Rylands assuredly is, deserves 
respectful attention, and is not flippantly to be disposed of, particularly as he 
speaks in accordance with the opinions of 44 many naturalists,” as I have heretofore 
admitted. As I am no dogmatizer, I should have left the readers of The 
Naturalist to form their own conclusions from what had already passed, had not 
Mr. Rylands pointed his artillery with such precision upon me, that I feel 
obliged to answer the fire in some degree to avoid total annihilation! I am 
happy to find, however, that Mr. Rylands allows the luxury of plates for the 
44 class who require enticing ” which I will venture- to say is about nine-tenths 
of those who give any attention to Natural History as a pursuit at all; so that 
in fact I am only vulnerably assailed in one position, and the inquiry is narrowed 
into the question whether plates are beneficial to those 44 whose love of Nature 
will not allow contentment with a slight and superficial acquaintance with her 
works, and whose fixed purpose it is to attain, if possible, a proficiency in 
their study.”* 
I might here ask, in limine , who is to tell the result of ie enticing” a person 
with the sight of a book of plates, full of the delightful imagery of Nature— 
whether quadrupeds, birds, Testacea, insects, or plants ? How, in fact, is a love 
for knowledge called forth at all but by the sight of these living objects under the 
blue sky and in the open air ? Why every one must admit, that the contem¬ 
plation of Nature itself is far superior to all that Buffon or any other the 
most eloquent naturalist could write upon the subject; and if so, then accurate 
* Vide Mr, Rylands’s Paper in The Naturalist for October last. 
