in the " Diciionnaire des Sciences Nalurellesy 95 



genera are otherwise than natural in this sense of the word. And 

 yet there are few of them, whose extent required subdivision, which 

 have not undergone this process. In the Linnean Mammalia^ for 

 example, Simia^ Vespertilio, Felis^ &c. ; in the Birds, Lanius^ 

 Motacillay Jrdea, Scolopax, &c. ; among the Insects, Scarabosus^ 

 Carabus^ Curculio, PapUioy &c., have all submitted more or less 

 to that necessary subdivision which has brought the numerous 

 species contained in them into comprehensible groups, and yet all 

 are equally natural genera as that of Psittacus. 



The critick seems in this instance to have founded his inference 

 upon an errour, which I more particularly wish to notice, as I have 

 frequently heard a similar objection advanced in this country against 

 the separation of nearly allied species into generick groups. It 

 would appear as if he wished it to be inferred, that to subdivide 

 is to disunite ; and that such subdivision among naturally conter- 

 minous species makes a breach in their affinities. But the sub- 

 division of a natural group like Psittacus does not infer disunion 

 among its component pafts : the subdivided part still remains an 

 integral part of the more comprehensive group to which it originally 

 belonged. The species of Cercopithecus^ Cynocephalus^ Papio^ 

 Ateles^ CebuSy &c. &c. are as much component parts of the genus 

 Simia^ Linn., as when included indiscriminately and without 

 classification under the latter comprehensive name. No breach 

 takes place in the more enlarged affinities which unites these 

 species into the one general group ; while the more immediate 

 affinities which unite them into minour groups are more clearly 

 pointed out by the subdivision. Nay more, the extreme and 

 osculant species of two separate but conterminous genera may be 

 preserved, by the same mental operation which defines the 

 genera, in still closer contact with each other, than two species 

 even of the same genus, between which other species intervene. 

 The same principle extends in fact through every group of every 

 rank and denomination. Two species of diflferent orders may 

 thus be more closely united in affinity than two species of the same 

 order. The affinity, for example, between a species of the Linnean 

 Strzxy and one of the Linnean CaprimulguSy may be considered 

 more close, although the birds belong to diflferent orders, than 

 the affinity between the two selected species and other species of 



