176 On the Quinary System 



throughout the animal kingdom, and are, therefore, to be re- 

 garded as the primary types of nature" 



We admit that all this is very striking and prepossessing 

 to a mere general reader, who would bend his eyes, for a few 

 seconds, on these, as being two of the principles of the system, 

 close the book, and extend his researches no further ; yet think 

 himself qualified to form a correct opinion of the subject.* 

 This, however, will not do for the naturalist: he has some 

 interest in the subject; and, in order to arrive at a correct 

 knowledge of it, must investigate its application,' and read 

 attentively the explanatory remarks the author introduces: 

 to use the words of Mr. M'Leay, " He requires its applica- 

 tion to nature, and its illustration by facts." (Linn. Trans., 

 vol. xiv. p. 57.) An investigation such as this would fully 

 convince him, that, although at first these propositions may 

 appear striking and gratifying, they, in reality (i. e. in their 

 application), mean literally nothing. 



One group, characterised by the definite peculiarity of form, 

 long legs, is, under a " diversified modification," represented 

 by a group with those organs quite the reverse. A second, 

 characterised by a short tail, is beautifully represented with 

 that appendage remarkably long. The lengthened bills of 

 the Grallatores are analogically represented by the abrupt 

 muzzle of the Mures. The species of a fourth group, re- 

 markable for the dulness and uniformity of their colour, are 

 strikingly represented, under a "diversified modification," by 

 the Trochilidae, the tints of whose plumage vie in resplendent 

 magnificence with the rainbow or Oriental gems. These are 

 a few instances of Mr. Swainson's theory of representation, 

 or analogy, or what would be better termed contrariety: more 

 specimens will be introduced in the detail. 



Mr. Swainson's five " primary types of nature " are, the 

 quadrumaniform (or insessorial), typical; the carnivorous (or 

 raptorial), sub-typical ; and the suctorial (gliriform or gral- 

 latorial), the rasorial (or ungulated), and the aquatic (ceta- 

 cious or natatorial), aberrant forms. We shall trace each of 

 these, in their diversified modifications, through some of 

 the groups which Mr. Swainson and his colleagues have 

 defined. 



We can make but few remarks on the quadrumaniform, 

 insessorial, or typical groups. According to Mr. Swainson, 

 these groups are the best organised ; and their chief distinc- 



* On some such grounds as these, we must account for the language the 

 Literary Gazette uses, when reviewing Mr. Swainson's Treatise : — " One of 

 its most striking and gratifying features is, the strong analogies which it 

 presents between the several natural kingdoms." 



