REVIEWS. 
21 
POPULAR ZOOLOGY. 
PoruLAR History of Birds. By Adam White, F.L.S. 
Popular British Conchology. By G. B. Sowerby, F.L.S. 
Popular British Entomology. By Miss M. E. Catlow. 
Popular History of British Zoophytes. By the Rev. Dr. Landsbo- 
rough. London : Lovell Reeve. Royal 16mo. Price 10s. 6d. each. 
“ Popular Zoology” is our theme. It is one not limited to one epoch, or 
to one nation; it belongs to all periods of human history, and to all the 
families of man. When the wise King of the East pointed out the habits 
of the ant, and desired the sluggard to “ consider her ways and be wise,” he 
illustrated, in the most effective manner, the value of “Popular Zoology.” 
When the Esquimaux, as he cuts up a seal, tells his children of its habits 
and its uses, he is giving a lesson on “ Popular Zoology.” When the Arab 
seeks for the praying Mantis, and tells his audience that it always points 
towards Mecca, where is placed the tomb of the Prophet, he is illustrating 
another branch of the same subject. The Indian, who expounds to his 
household the traditions of their fathers, tells them that the beavers are 
human beings, condemned for a time to live in their present form; but adds, 
that they have been heard to speak to each other in their own language, 
and seen to assemble for council before beginning their labours : he, too, in 
another manner, is expounding the “ Popular Zoology” of his tribe and his 
epoch. It will be obvious, therefore, that the subject, in some of its many 
phases, is indigenous in all countries, and has a perennial existence, inde¬ 
pendent of paper and typography, woodcuts, or illustrations. 
But it is not until observations are multiplied, and men possess the art of 
recording what they observe, that the subject can assume a methodical form. 
The first attempts at reducing to a system current opinions and ascertained 
facts must have exhibited very incongruous results. The snow-built hut 
of the Esquimaux, or the wigwam of the Indian, of whom we have spoken, 
were not more unlike the Coliseum at Rome than the first crude attempts at 
system, compared with that which science has now elaborated. Yet, the 
plan is far from complete. Much has been built, anc] materials for future 
additions have been brought together, but all parts are unfinished, and, 
even the sites which ought to be occupied by others are not positively set¬ 
tled. Nay, some wise folks shake their heads, and say, that the foundation 
in some places is bad, and must be reconstructed. 
Above two thousand years have passed away since Aristotle—justly 
termed the Father of Natural History—ceased from his labours. Slowly 
have facts been accumulated—gradually have those been grouped together, 
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