as indicating Affinities of Species. 399 



In this sense of the phrase only we trace what may be 

 esteemed a suitable meaning to the term " natural system : " 

 this is the only system by which the wonders of creation are 

 naturally arranged ; this alone is the system which nature 

 everywhere presents for our contemplation : but, admire it as 

 we may, still this is not the system by which an extensive 

 knowledge of species can be acquired, or which can be studied 

 elsewhere than in the wilds. 



Every species of organism, as must be obvious to all ex- 

 amining thinking persons, is framed upon a greater or smaller 

 series of successively subordinate typical plans, upon each of 

 which is organised a variety of different species, perfectly 

 unconnected and distinct from each other, however some may 

 resemble, even to minutiae, and which exhibit each typical or 

 subtypical structure more or less modified, and, in the ex- 

 tremes, generally more or less approximating towards the 

 extreme modifications of other plans of organisation, in direct 

 relation to the endless diversifications of the surface of the 

 earth, to variety of climate, or to peculiar modes of procuring 

 sustenance. 



Thus far, I believe, all systematists agree. 



I must venture, however, to differ from the majority of 

 them, in opposing the prevalent notion, that the extreme mo- 

 difications of diverse types blend and inosculate by direct 

 affinity ; contending that, however closely these may appa- 

 rently resemble, the most similar modifications of diverse types 

 are not, in a physiological sense, more nearly related to each 

 other than are the more characteristic examples of the same. 



To this conclusion I was originally led by reflection on 

 various interesting phenomena connected with the changes of 

 plumage which take place in birds; having observed that, 

 however importantly, to suit peculiarity in the mode of life, 

 the general structure of very aberrant forms may be modified, 

 so as to render it even doubtful upon which fundamental type 

 they are organised, there are, notwithstanding, certain constant 

 characters, of less importance to the existence and welfare of 



that an analogous being ever previously existed. Man alone is a creature 

 by himself j the only being whose agency is at all opposed to the mutual 

 and reciprocal system of adaptations prevalent around him. He did not 

 always exist here, and there is no reason to suppose that he always will. 

 All conduces rather to intimate that he is but a sojourner for a short time. 

 In his vanity, he is apt to imagine that all were made for him ! and pre- 

 sumptiously enquires of what use could have been the creation without 

 him ! Yet how ardently does he labour to exterminate every portion 

 of that creation, which he deems to be in the least injurious to his own 

 interests ! 



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