P icidæ . Picus (Aptemius) tridactylus.
H irundinidæ. Hirundo riparia.
Tetraonidæ. Tetrao (Lagopus) saliceti, Ï . (L.) rupestris.------32 land-birds.
Grallatores. Calidris arenaria, Charadrius pluvialis, Yanellus melanogaster, Strepsilas
interpres, Tringa maritima, Tr. alpha, Tr. Schinzii, Tr. minuta, Tr. cinerea, Totanus
semipalmatus, T. calidris, T. Bartramius, T. ochropus, T. macularius, Scolopax Novo-
boracensis, Phalaropus hyperboreus, Ph. fulicarius.
N atatores. Podiceps cristatusV P. rubricollis, P. cornutus, Sterna hirundo? St. arctica,
St nigra, Laras glaucus, L. argentatoides, L. leucopterus, L. eburneus, L. canus, L.
tridactylus, L. minutas, L. Rossii, L. Sabinii, Lestris pomarina, L. parasitica.—
(Anatidæ.) Anas clypeata, A. (Chauliodus) strepera, A. (Dafila) acuta, A. (Boschas)
domestica, A. (B.) crecca, Somateria mollissima, S. spectabilis, Oidemia perspicillata,
O. fusca, Fuligula ferina, F. marila, Clangula vulgaris, Harelda glacialis, Mergus merganser,
M. serrator, Cygnus Bewickii, Anser bernicla, A. albifrons, A. hyperborea.—
Colymbus glacialis, C. arcticus, C. septentrionalis, Uria Brannickn, U. trolle, U. grylle,
U. alle, Mormon arctica, Alca tarda, Procellariæ quædam?------Upwards of 62 waterbirds.
The preceding tables have been constructed with the view of
exhibiting the more remarkable facts connected with the distribution
of the feathered tribes, which a residence in the Fur Countries enabled
me to ascertain. Being acquainted, however, with the phenomena
of that region only, and therefore qualified to take but a very partial
view of the geographical distribution of animals, I have avoided offering
any general remarks or conclusions, and beg to refer the reader to
Mr. Swainson's essay in the Encyclopaedia of Geography, now in the
press. He has, I understand, treated the subject, particularly as
relating to American birds, in much detail ; and from his very extensive
knowledge of Ornithology, and the philosophic nature of his
views, he brings powers to the task which few possess. RMelville
Hospital, Chatham,
July, 1831.
INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS
ON THE
N A T U R A L S Y S T EM.
■ BY
WILLIAM SWAINSON^Esq.
I n estimating the progress of zoological science during the last ten
years, it seems essential to view the subject under two heads : firstly,
as regards a knowledge of individual structure ;’ and secondly, as
regards the application of this knowledge to the illustration of general
laws.
To expatiate on the extent of the discoveries, or on the value of
the physiological facts which have been brought to light during this
period, would be altogether superfluous. They are, indeed, so vast,
and at the same time so diversified, that it is no longer in the power
of an individual, absorbed in the study of a part, rightly to appreciate
the full bearings of the whole. If, then, we are to measure the progress
of this science by the accession of new objects, or by our increased
knowledge of structure, its advance has been almost immeasurable.
Yet, while we may justly exult in these splendid accessions to our
favourite science, we must still consider them but as materials for
reaching “ a higher state of knowledgethat, in short, which was
long ago pronounced by Linnaeus to be the “ ultimus finis” of the true
Zoologist,—the discovery of the Natural System. However greatly
the learned Swede may have erred in his efforts to attain this end;
however different are the opinions upon record regarding his zoological
system, and of all others that have supplanted i t ; and however inconsistent
these latter appear with each other; still, among those whom
f