CONSTRUCTION OF CATALOGUES. 
327 
their general similarity species peculiar to more 
northern stations. But altogether these facts re¬ 
quire elucidation and careful consideration, and no 
naturalist should deem such matters unworthy of 
his attention upon finding that detail of this kind 
is not merely essential to the development of the 
laws of animal geography, but that it is requisite to 
complete the history of species, and to become 
acquainted with many of the laws regulating their 
existence and their actions and in general operation 
upon the entire series of living beings. 
We have shewn that our county yields to none 
in the importance of its Fauna, and this chiefly 
because of the peculiar eligibilities of its physical 
conditions. I do not know therefore that it would 
be of use to inquire into the relative proportions 
borne between the various tribes, or to institute 
further comparisons between the animals of the 
south of Devon and those of any given spot of 
the same extent. An answer to the former question 
will be found only by tracing the dependence 
observed in nature from the inorganic kingdom to 
the highest conditions of organization. A competent 
reply indeed cannot be given till our knowledge 
of the laws of life shall be greatly increased, and 
till we recognize as the denizens of our country, 
hundreds of creatures which have as yet escaped 
notice. A comparison of our animals with those 
of any other district would avail little, since an 
enumeration of species does not imply a knowledge 
of the conditions which influence their situation or 
control their limits. In framing a list of animals 
inhabiting a given spot or country it would be 
very right to apply the principles of zoological 
geography. To speak of the frequency or scarcity 
of animals independently of these is to betray igno¬ 
rance to those who can judge, and to perpetuate 
error to those who would learn. It is not question- 
