Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linaeus: With Remarks on the Study of Natural History, and Occasional Observations on the Progress of Zoology

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Oliver & Boyd, 1834 - Natural history - 391 pages

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Page 159 - There is a small island in Lancashire, called the Pile of Foulders, wherein are found the broken pieces of old and bruised ships, some whereof have been cast thither by...
Page 159 - ... to the shape and form of a bird : when it is perfectly formed, the shell gapeth open and the first thing that appeareth is the...
Page 159 - When it is perfectly formed the shell gapeth open, and the first thing that appeareth is the foresaid lace, or string ; next come the legs of the bird hanging out ; and as it groweth greater, it openeth the shell by degrees, till at length it is all come forth, and hangeth only by the bill...
Page 167 - Bat let us ourselves examine things as we have opportunity, and converse with nature as well as books.
Page 140 - The people seem to be very lazy, at least the men, and may be frequently observed to plough in their cloaks. It is the fashion of them to wear cloaks when they go abroad, but especially on Sundays. They lay out most they are worth in cloaths, and a fellow that hath scarce ten groats besides to help himself with, you shall see come out of his smoaky cottage clad like a gentleman.
Page 176 - No creature in this sublunary world is capable of so doing besides man ; yet we are deficient herein : we content ourselves with the knowledge of the tongues, and a little skill in philology, or history perhaps, and antiquity, and neglect that which to me seems more material. I mean natural history and the works of the creation.
Page 152 - ... digesting was of no light kind. Without at all detracting from the merits of the author, whose labours, according to Dr Derham, were such, " that he allowed himself little or no time for those recreations and diversions which men of his estate and degree are apt to spend too much of their time in, but prosecuted his design with as great application, as if he had been to get his bread thereby...
Page 141 - They are very bold, and sit in great multitudes till one comes close up to them, because they are not wont to be scared or disturbed. The young ones are esteemed a choice dish in Scotland, and sold very dear (Is. 8d. plucked). We eat of them at Dunbar. They are in bigness little inferior to an ordinary goose. The young one is upon the back black, and speckled with little white spots, under the breast and belly grey.
Page 176 - Let us then consider the works of God, and observe the operations of His hands: let us take notice of, and admire His infinite wisdom and goodness in the formation of them: no creature in this sublunary world, is capable of so doing...
Page 205 - ... an inkstand, pencase, microscope, and spying-glass, a gauze cap to protect me occasionally from the gnats; a comb; my journal, and a parcel of paper stitched together for drying plants, both in folio; my manuscript Ornithology, Flora Uplandica, and Characteres generici. I wore a hanger at my side, and carried a small fowling-piece, as well as an octangular stick, graduated for the purpose of measuring. My pocketbook contained a passport from the Governor of Upsal, and a recommendation from the...

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