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XXXV. On Systems and Methods in Natural History, By 



J. E. Bi cheno, Esq., F.R.S., Sec. L.S., $c* ' * ^] 



J PROPOSE to myself on the present occasion to make 

 some observations on Systems and Methods in Natural 

 History; a subject of great importance at all times, but more 

 especially so at present, when new views of arrangement and 

 nomenclature are proposed, and to some extent adopted. Let 

 me not be understood, however, in the general observations 

 which follow, to be opposed to any particular system; my ob- 

 ject being to discuss the first principles of arrangement, and 

 to leave others to judge how far they are applicable to the views 

 adopted by any individual systematist. 



It has appeared to me that the difficulties of the subject 

 have not been duly appreciated ; and the time cannot be un- 

 profitably occupied, if I accomplish no more than to enable us 

 to estimate them. It might even be suspected, from the readi- 

 ness with which new systems are adopted, that they have a 

 peculiar attraction for ardent minds ; as it has not unfrequently 

 happened that young naturalists have found themselves pre- 

 maturely embarrassed in a subject, which of all others requires 

 not only an extensive acquaintance with the operations of the 

 human mind, but long experience and various practice. The 

 line of argument I propose to employ, must necessarily be 

 somewhat abstract; yet I hope I shall be borne with, since 

 the practical naturalist could 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 ac- 

 customed to turn their observations to the operations of the 

 human mind, and to the instruments which it employs to per- 

 form its labours; feeling assured that, by obtaining the co- 

 operation of this class of philosophers, we shall have great 

 light thrown upon our subject ; and that it will be one means 

 ot attracting the notice of those who delight in a large and li- 

 beral treatment of science. While they impart to us a philo- 

 sophical 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 assign- 

 ing them names, and a place in the systems they have adopted ; 



* From the Transactions of the Linnean Society, vol. xv. Part ii. p. 471. 



and 



