PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. CONSIDERABLY more than half-a-century has elapsed since Goldsmith's HISTORY OF THE EARTH AND ANIMATED NATURE was first published; and although it has gone through many editions, such is the charm of the work, that the demand for it continues undiminished. The art which Goldsmith eminently possessed of saying every thing he had to say in a pleasing manner,—the fascinating ease and beauty of his style,—and the simple and intelligible arrangement which he adopted,— secured for his work an extensive and steady patronage; and well did the result prove the correctness of Dr. Johnson's anticipation, when he said, "Goldsmith is now writing a Natural History, and he will make it as entertaining as a Persian tale." Goldsmith's work, indeed, did much to render Natural History a popular study in this country. It is true, he cannot be classed with a Buffon, a Linnæus, a Cuvier, and other great naturalists; yet if it may not be affirmed of him that he added much to the science itself, it must nevertheless be allowed that he was the first English writer who, by the inimitable graces of his style and manner, threw a charm over the subject which was new to the English reader, and the effect of which, in rendering the science of Natural History popular, has been great and extensive. With all its attractions, however, his work is not free from errors, and cannot at this day be regarded as complete or scientific in its system. To correct its mistakes, and supply its deficiencies, has been a leading object in the present edition; and while the original text of Goldsmith-which has so long delighted the general reader-has been faithfully retained, and purged from many corruptions by careful collation with the second edition of the work, published in the Author's lifetime, such additions have been made to it, in the shape of NOTES, as the present improved state of science calls for.-To the present edition have been added a LIFE OF GOLDSMITH, from the pen of WASHINGTON IRVING, and a careful translation of BARON CUVIER'S INTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, with additions from the pen of an eminent Naturalist. AN INTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. SECT. I.-NATURAL HISTORY IN GENERAL, AND METHODS OF ARRANGEMENT. Nature-Division of the Physical Sciences-Natural History-General Principles-Conditions of Existence, or Final Causes-Observation—Classification-Artificial or Natural-Subordination of Characters, WE deem it necessary to commence our work by clearly defining the object of Natural History, and by establishing a precise line of demarcation, so as to separate this science from others to which it is nearly allied. This is the more requisite, as confused and indistinct notions on the subject very generally prevail. Various significations have been applied to the term, Nature, in our language as well as in most others;-sometimes it denotes the qualities of a being derived from original constitution, as distinguished from those acquired by art;-sometimes it signifies the vast concourse of beings composing the universe; and sometimes the laws which govern those beings. It is especially in this last sense that we are accustomed to personify Nature; and, from a proper feeling of respect, to use this term for the name of its divine Author. Physics, or Physical Science, may consider nature in any of these three points of view. The name of the Supreme Being, which never ought to be pronounced without emotion, could not be introduced into philosophical discussions upon every occasion, without a violation of decorum. Accordingly, it has become an established practice to use the milder term Nature, as an appellation of similar import. This is done without any intention of deifying the powers of nature. On the contrary, the best and wisest natural philosophers agree with Dr. Clarke in considering "that there is no such thing as what we commonly call the course of nature, or the power of nature. The course of nature, truly and properly speaking, is nothing else than the will of God, producing certain effects in a continued, regular, constant, and uniform manner, which course or manner of acting being in every moment perfectly arbitrary, is as easy to be altered at any time as to be preserved. So that all those things which we commonly say are the effects of the natural powers of matter and laws of motion, of gravitation, attraction, and the like, are indeed (if we will speak strictly and properly) the effects of God's acting upon matter, continually and every moment, either immediately by himself, or mediately by some created intelligent being." In these and following passages, the term law is used in a metaphorical sense. An ordinary law of civil society is addressed by an intelligent legislator to persons, capable both of understanding the meaning of the law, and of regulating their actions accordingly. But, when we use the phrases law of vegetable life, law of gravitation, it is evident that the word is used in a sense widely different from the former. Nature, that is, the Supreme Being, not only prescribes the law, but executes it; a law of nature being nothing more than that particular regular mode of acting which the Deity has prescribed to himself. Physical science is either general or particular. When we deduce effects from causes, and by explaining the various phenomena of Nature, obtain the power of applying the materials she presents to purposes useful to mankind, it is termed General Physics, or Natural Philosophy; but, when we consider the various objects presented by Nature, |
