"RESEARCHES ABOUT ATMOSPHERIC PHAENOMENA”— "DIOSEMEA OF ARATUS,"―etc.

FOURTH EDITION, CORRECTED AND ENLARGED.

[This Edition is not published separately.]

1814.

PREFACE

TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

SINCE the publication of the third edition of this pamphlet, I have obtained additional proof of the migratory nature of the Swallow, from a new source.

of

Finding that the organization of the heads of birds of this genus corresponds with the notion of their possessing great power conceiving the local situations of different countries, and finding their way about; it may be important to add this species of evidence to the mass of proof drawn from other fountains; as a means of washing away the prejudices established on the casual and rare occurrences of these birds being found under water. As, however, such facts seem to have been well authenticated in a few instances, it becomes a worthy subject of future inquiry, what causes impede their migration, and whence the birds derive their propensity to take such an occasional subterfuge?

Having alluded to a peculiarity of organization as ¿ving peculis propensities, it may seem necessary to explain to the rear the theor of instincts involved in this mode of accounting for the

nners

rs of

animated beings. But as this would be a tedious and long cir

cution, and would require many sheets to adduce the numerous proofs necessary to its establishment, I shall content myself with referring the physiological reader to the anatomy and physiology of the brain of Doctors Gall and Spurzheim, which I have embraced; and which will be explained in a work, which is, I understand, about to be published.

This system may perhaps at first appear astonishing to people, from the inefficacy of the terms now employed to express the different faculties of the mind; but a patient investigation will, I do not doubt, convince scientific and intelligent inquirers of its truth. The theory considers the brain and nervous system, not as one simple organ of thought and life; but as an assemblage of different organs which are the material conditions of different faculties of the mind. The simple and conjoint action of these different organs constitute the sources of the propensities and intellect of both men and animals. These suppositions do not involve any necessarian doctrines, nor abrogate from the free will or moral liberty of the individual; they cannot therefore be made use of by the advocates of the doctrine of philosophical necessity to support their particular opinions. The reader will, I hope, see this clearly as he advances in the subject, and I only wish to excite him to such a patient investigation of the anatomy and physiology of the brain, as has already convinced me of the truth of the theory.

PREFACE.

NATURAL HISTORY and the Sciences were not originally pursued by Philosophers from a curiosity to acquire, or a desire to disseminate, the secret laws of the universe. Man is, nevertheless, an inquisitive animal, and seems, by his nature, to possess a restless solicitude about the objects with which he is surrounded, and a native desire of increasing his knowledge of things. Who can reflect on the extent of his memory, and of his imagination, and of his power of communicating thought, and not suppose man constructed to enhance, by systematic inquiry, that knowledge, which, to a certain degree, must be the necessary result of sensation? And who can contemplate the variety observable in the intellectual characters of individuals, arising from a difference in the relative strength of the several organs of the brain, and not suppose that human pursuits would be dissimilar, and that original varieties of genius as well as accidental circumstances of situation, would direct human efforts to the acquisition of various species of knowledge? But we cannot suppose that the different sciences had their beginning when society was organized as it is at present; when from the social division of labor, and the state of civilization, there are many to whom the conveniences of life are measured without toil, and who can follow their inclination in the pursuit of knowledge; and when it becomes the lot of others to exercise their minds only for a means of subsis

tence; for the arts and sciences seem, in a measure, necessary to social improvement, and appear to have arisen, from time to time, out of the wants of individuals, and to have kept pace with civilization.

In the infancy of society, it is probable that men, then only the wild inhabitants of forests and woods, employed their ken to discover and procure the various subjects of their immediate wants; and natural history was confined to a knowledge of such animals as were fit for food, and to be procured by hunting and fishing; and such as were formidable, and to be known, that they might be avoided; and to whose superior strength human ingenuity and contrivance were to be opposed. But even in a more cultivated state of society, among the eastern nations of shepherds who lived wandering through verdant pastures with their flocks, to dwell wherever fountains poured out water, or trees afforded shade, science was still only subservient to the exigencies of nature, and natural history cultivated to discover and commemorate the useful qualities of animals. Some were edible, as sheep, goats, and many horned cattle. Others useful for guards, as the dog, who protected the folds; or the ichneumon and cat, the destroyers of rats and mice; whose troublesome insults engaged men in the pursuit of a more perfect acquaintance with their habits, together with numerous other tribes of noisome animals and insects, who invaded the dwellings of man, and interrupted his enjoyment. Many animals were monitors, who, by their appearance, announced the impending change of seasons. Thus the unexpected alterations of the weather were predicted by many birds and insects: and the garrulity of the crow and the thrush; the coming forth of worms upon the ground, and of spiders on the walls; the clamorous squalling of peacocks, and the frequent immersions of water fowl; indicated rain, and warned the shepherd and agriculturist to prepare for bad weather. Nor were the periodical returns of the seasons less marked by many birds. Such was the crane flying the wintry tempests to gain more tranquil regions. Such was the turtle and the stork, the cuckoo and the nightingale; and the swallow, who returning was invariably found the harbinger of spring; and who, by an association of ideas, by which most human affections are regulated, when bestowed on trifling objects, was protected from injury, and received a supersti