480 Mr. Bicueno on Systems and Methods 
make no accumulations to his science, and all his particulars 
would stand unconnected and discrepant throughout, without 
the aid of abstract reasoning. Besides, I am anxious to engage 
the attention of persons accustomed to turn their observations to 
the operations of the human mind, and to the instruments which 
it employs to perform its labours; feeling assured that, by ob- 
taining the cooperation of this class of philosophers, we shall 
have great light thrown upon our subject; and that it will be one 
means of attracting the notice of those who delight in a large 
and liberal treatment of science. While they impart to us a 
philosophical solidity, in which I am apprehensive we are 
wanting, we may hope to. communicate to them a reciprocal 
benefit, in some of those graces and charms to be derived from 
the study of Nature, and in which perhaps they may be deficient. 
Without undervaluing the study of species, upon which a 
great deal of our knowledge is built, it cannot be denied that 
naturalists in general have been too often content with assigning 
them names, and a place in the systems they have adopted ; and 
this they have done without having an ulterior view to their 
structure and functions, and the relations subsisting amongst 
them. Much less have they kept in view the end of generalizing | 
the particulars they are accumulating ; but they continue to heap 
together a ** rudis indigestaque moles,” until they are actually 
overwhelmed by their materials. To build up science skilfully, 
the combination should go on with the collecting, or the super- 
structure will exhibit neither use nor beauty. 
Mr. Roscoe has clearly illustrated the comparative merits of 
the artificial and natural arrangements in Botany in a former 
volume of the Transactions* ; and has satisfactorily proved, in 
my estimation, that however admirable and comprehensive 
the system of Jussieu may be, yet it ought not to supersede the 
C Trans, Linn. Soc. vol. xi. p. 50. 
use 
