Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/310

 numerous Instances of Learned Men, who finding other Parts of Natural Learning taken up by Men, who in all Probability would leave little for After-comers, have, rather than not contribute their Proportion towards the Advancement of Knowledge, spent a World of Time, Pains and Cost, in examining the Excrescencies of all the Parts of Trees, Shrubs, and Herbs, in observing the critical Times of the Changes of all sorts of Caterpillars and Maggots, in finding out by the Knife and Microscopes the minutest parts of the smallest Animals, in examining every Crevice, and poring in every Ditch, in tracing every Insect up to its Original Egg, and all this with as great Diligence, as if they had had an Alexander to have given them as many Talents, as he is said to have given to his Master Aristotle.

I shall put Fishes, Fowls and Quadrupeds together, because the Question as it relates to the Natural History of these Animals, may be brought into a small Compass. For as to the Anatomical part it is certain, That every Instance of the Defect of Ancient Anatomy already mentioned, is a Proof how little the Texture of the inward Parts of all these Creatures could possibly be known, and consequent-