0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

MODERN TIMfiS^S-
and wide an interest in matters connected with natural
science among large classes of the educated public.
BUFFON entered also upon the subject of the geographical
distribution of the animal kingdom, and, like LlNN-^US ,
before him, drew attention to the difference between the
species inhabiting the different continents. He concluded v
from the fact that the forms of animal life belonging to-the
Arctic regions of America and Europe are identical, that *
there once existed a connection between the two continents,
or at least that migrations of animals from one to
the other were possible. An acquaintance with the trans- .
oceanic fauna was brought about chiefly by scientific expeditions
to which naturalists were appointed, Thus
SONNERAT described numerous animals inhabiting islands
off the southern shores of Asia ; but the greatest services
in this respect were rendered by the elder FORSTER, j
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, and LICHTENSTEIN. So.
also a closer study was made of the distribution of animals '%
in the different countries of Europe. PALLAS described , :
several new forms.
In the meanwhile men's knowledge of the species already ^
recognized was enriched by important observations. BONNET ;
was the first to notice the asexual propagation of .aphidesy
or plant-lice. P. CAMPER and J. HUNTER discovered
simultaneously and independently of one another the aircavities
of the bones of birds and the connection of these *
with the lungs. FABRICIUS and afterwards LATR-EILLE"
turned their attention chiefly* to entomology, RUDOLPHI
worked at helminthology, and LAMARCK, O..F. MULLER,*
and EHRENBERG applied themselves to the vast subject of
the infusoria.
Zootomy afforded important information upon the structure
of the various animals, and a comparison of their'*
organization opened up a view which rendered it pos-s
sible to form a comprehensive judgment on this subject.
Comparative anatomy and physiology gained rich accessions
of scientific material through the labours of J. HUNTER,,
F. VlCQ D'AZYR, BLUMENBACH, KlELMEYER, GEOFFROY,