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Updated: August 4, 2024
Although closet-naturalists deny this, it must have been so; for shortly after, he repeated the act again and again the quantity of water at each discharge being as great as before. It was plain that his trunk, large as it was, could not have contained it all.
"With regard to the vultures," observed Lucien, "the study of their natural history has been considerably impeded by the closet-naturalists, and particularly by the Frenchmen who are fonder than all others of making a parade of science, by the absurd multiplication of genera and species.
"As regards the marmots, the closet-naturalists, as usual, have rendered their history as complicated and difficult to be understood as possible. They have divided them into several genera, because one kind happens to have a larger tubercle upon its tooth than another, or a little more curving in its claws, or a shorter tail.
In my opinion, these are the facts worth knowing; and who are the men who publish such facts to the world? Not your closet-naturalists, I fancy." "True, very true, brother; but let us not vex ourselves about such things; go on, and tell us what you know of the crocodiles."
"Not so, brother," interrupted Lucien; "that is one of the errors of your closet-naturalists your Buffons and Cuviers propagated by them, until it has become proverbial. Strange to say, it is altogether erroneous. It has been proved that vultures possess the sense of smell in a less degree even than most other creatures. Dogs and wolves far excel them in this respect."
The natives of South Africa are acquainted with four distinct species of rhinoceros, to which they give distinct names; and it may be remarked that this observation of species by native hunters is far more to be depended upon than the speculations of mere closet-naturalists, who draw their deductions from a tubercle, or the tooth, or a stuffed skin.
Previous to our leaving home I read several books upon natural history. They were the works of distinguished closet-naturalists. Well, I found that all the information they contained about the animals of these Northern regions at least, all that could be called information I had read somewhere before. After thinking for a while I recollected where.
Although closet-naturalists deny this, it must have been so; for shortly after, he repeated the act again and again the quantity of water at each discharge being as great as before. It was plain that his trunk, large as it was, could not have contained it all.
The natives of South Africa are acquainted with four distinct species of rhinoceros, to which they give distinct names; and it may be remarked that this observation of species by native hunters is far more to be depended upon than the speculations of mere closet-naturalists, who draw their deductions from a tubercle, or the tooth, or a stuffed skin.
He underwent the most dreadful hardships and perils, and has left behind him an account of the inhabitants and natural history of these parts, so full and so truthful, that it has not only stood the test of subsequent observation, but the closet-naturalists have added but little to it ever since.
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