514 Mr. N. A. Vicors on the Natural Affinities 
much to that accuracy of observation and unwearied diligence 
of research, which have deservedly entitled M.'l'emminck to the 
reputation of being the first practical ornithologist of our days. 
But there is a name still higher than all, —and as a member 
of this Society, I feel that I may indulge myself in referring. 
to it with almost filial reverence— Clarum et venerabile nomen! to 
which the debt due by every lover of ornithology should be re- 
paid by something more than bare acknowledgement. Whoever 
. can form a just estimate of the important benefit that is conferred 
on every branch of Natural History by a comprehensive and lu- 
minous arrangement of its grand and primary subdivisions, and 
a perspicuous exposition of the leading affinities by which neigh- 
bouring groups are connected, will pay this just tribute of gra- 
titude to the transcendent genius of LixN xvs. It is true that 
a disposition has latterly prevailed to underrate the reputation 
of that great name, and the more specious pretensions of later 
ornithologists have partially thrown his merits into the shade. 
And this undeserved detraction has been increased if not occa- 
sioned by that fatality which ever awaits eminence of all descrip- 
tion. For it has been his fate, in common with every exalted 
character who may be considered the founder of a school in sci- 
ence or philosophy, to have suffered more by the injudicious 
zeal and overweening partiality of his professed supporters, than 
from the undisguised attacks of those who would raise them- 
selves upon his subversion. "The former, regardless of the state 
of this department of nature at the period when he undertook to 
arrange it, and forgetting that the first efforts even of his great 
mind in reducing his subject into order were necessarily but the 
rudiments of the science ;—mistaking, in fact, the foundation of 
his system for its perfect consummation, and thus making the 
grasp of the infant Hercules the measure of the powers of his - 
manhood ;—these his injudicious supporters, I repeat, adhering ` 
solely . 
