124 Scientific Reviews. 
For those again who wish to take a step beyond the “ Outlines,” 
Dr. Ure’s work, certainly, in its whole, embraces the great features 
£ the science, and some of the more prominent facts on which 
geognosy as a science is now based. Of the introduction and the 
first book we have already spoken. We have also spoken our mind 
freely of the part of the work devoted to practical geognosy, and 
.t only remains to direct the reader’s attention to the last book, on 
the deluge, in which the author professes to treat of the physical re- 
cords of an universal deluge,—of the causes of geological catastro- 
phes,—of the constitution of the primeval world,—and of the pre- 
sent earth and the era of its emergence; and however much we 
may differ in opinion with the author on certain hypothetical conclu- 
sions, we must still assert, that in treating these subjects he shows 
much industry and research, and we cannot do more justice to his 
motives than by quoting his concluding observation. . 
** I now dismiss these lucubrations, humbly hoping that the 
may promote the study of a new, but magnificent field of know- 
ledge, and a far greater good than all physical science can bestow, 
ene which the finest philosophical spirit of the age, justly declares 
he would prefer to every other blessing, as most delightful and 
most useful to him,—a firm religious belief.” 
Traité général d’ Anatomie Comparée, par J.-F. Mecxe.; Tra- 
duit de l Allemand, et augmenté de Notes, par MM. ReistER 
et Aupu. Sanson. Tom. III. Part 2. Paris, 1829. 
~ Wauitst man, through overweening admiration of his own men- 
tal powers, knew not where to set the bounds of his superiority over 
the lower tribes of beings, he scorned comparison, even in his cor- 
poreal structure, with “ the brutes” below him. But when he 
found that the same organs and processes were employed for the 
sustenance of the life of a beast as of himself, he was constrained 
to elevate his fellow-creature in closer approximation to his rank, 
and ceased to apply the term “ brute” except to inert matter. And - 
yet, even in this day, to speak of “man and other animals,” is held 
by many as the language of treason against the Lord of the crea- 
tion. 
The anatomy of the lower animals thus became a subordinate 
and posterior consideration to the examination into the structure of 
man. The human frame was accordingly made the standard of 
comparison, and the description of other animal bodies was named 
comparative anatomy. 
Comparative anatomy, from the amazing results and surprizing 
theories which have sprung from its prosecution, now assumes the 
highest rank among the sciences connected with the knowledge of 
living beings. It is made the basis of the classification of the ani- 
mal kingdom ; and in the natural system of plants, we see that its 
