History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

ViPREFACE.vailed in the science of zoology in this country, and justifythedivision of its historyinto two great eras, the general featuresof which it may be proper here brieflyto notice.The first of these periods in the history of zoologicalsciencebe denominated the Physiological Era. Inin Britain, may this golden age Willoughby, Ray, Lister and Sibbald conspicuouslydistinguished themselves. These illustrious individualsduly appreciated the value of anatomy as a guide in zoologicalinquiries and while ; theystudied the forms of animalsin connection with their structure, they were not unmindful oftheir functions and distribution. The whole extent of the animalkingdom occupied their attention, and they were induced tocollect materials from every quarter. But while thus engaged,they were sedulous in the investigation of the productions oftheir own country.The number of indigenous species whichthey procured and described, is a proof of their diligence, andenabled them to impart a degree of maturityto the BritishFauna at that early period, which is still calculated to exciteour admiration.The labours of these luminaries of the science in determiningthe characters of British Animals, were preceded by the publicationin 1667 of the " Pinax Rerum Naturalium BritannicarurrCof Dr Christopher Merret. This small work, which,though it claims little more than the merit of a catalogue, exhibitsmany proofs of great diligence, and rises in importance,when viewed as a first attempt at the construction of a BritishFauna.The historyof Mammiferous Animals was undertaken byJohn Ray, and the results publishedin 1693, in the Synopsismethodica Animcdium, Quadrupedtwi, et Serpentini generis. Inthis work, the forms of the native speciesare described with muchaccuracy, together with many interesting anatomical details.Few opportunities had occurred to this author, or to his friendWilloughby, of examining the Cetaceous species. This deficiency,however, was well supplied by Sir Robert Sibbald, anaturalist who, besides contributing greatlyto the elucidation ofthe productions of his native country by his Scotia Illustrata, sive