Observations on some interesting phenomena in animal physiology, exhibited by several species of Planariæ / by John Graham Dalyell.

Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on some interesting phenomena in animal physiology, exhibited by several species of Planariæ / by John Graham Dalyell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    The errors which have darkened the beautiful science of Natural History, are principally to be traced to superficial ob- servation : and if this be true with regard u to the larger animals, how is it to be ex- pected that the smaller have received that scrupulous care and attention, by which alone their habits can be illustrated? Scarce deemed worthy to hold a place in exist- ence, they have been obscured by more conspicuous objects, those whose properties it required less time and labour to unfold. But the real Physiologist, who knows the universal balance preserving the scale of animation, and who feels the imbecility of his own understanding, in scrutinizing the operations of Nature, will not presump- tuously depreciate what are called her meanest works. Each has its appointed place, and its appointed purpose. Patient enquiry is the only unerring guide; and even this may be defeated, unless a com- bination of incidents shall favour the ob- server. Perhaps it is less from the number of animals, than the accurate examination of those brought under review, that benefit