. American angler's guide : or, complete fisher's manual, for the United States: containing the opinions and practices of experienced anglers of both hemispheres ; with the addition of a second Fishing. INTRODUCTION. 11 The late Dr. Mitchell, of New-York, together with Governor De Witt Clinton, have furnished to the Literary and Philoso- phical Society of this city, a great amount of valuable scientific information on the natural history of the Fishes of the State ot New-York. Dr. Smith, of Massachusetts, has written a very able work on the Fishes of his own State. But of the history of
. American angler's guide : or, complete fisher's manual, for the United States: containing the opinions and practices of experienced anglers of both hemispheres ; with the addition of a second Fishing. INTRODUCTION. 11 The late Dr. Mitchell, of New-York, together with Governor De Witt Clinton, have furnished to the Literary and Philoso- phical Society of this city, a great amount of valuable scientific information on the natural history of the Fishes of the State ot New-York. Dr. Smith, of Massachusetts, has written a very able work on the Fishes of his own State. But of the history of the fishes of our boundless western rivers and lakes, but little is known. The celebrated Buffon has said, " that in America animated nature is weaker, less active, and more circumscrib- ed in the variety of its productions, than in the old world: that there is some combination of elements, and other physi- cal causes, something that opposes its amplification; that there are obstacles to their development, and perhaps to the formation of large germs; and that even those which, from the kindly influences of another climate, have acquired their complete form and expansion, shrink and diminish under a niggardly air and unprolific land "!! How absurd and foolish a remark from a person whom knowledge, and that too of a great general character, should have taught better! One is almost tempted to believe that it is tinged with envy. It is true, that at the time it was uttered, our resources were comparatively small, our institutions weak and enfeebled, and in fact our country itself but little known abroad ; yet the re- proach, even were the facts as stated, was ill-timed, and not in taste: its falsity is too plain to need comment. The plan adopted by many of our State Legislatures, of ordering geological surveys, bringing to its aid some of the best talent of the country, is well calculated to advance this science. As our country gradually progresses in wealth. Please note
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectfishing, bookyear1849
