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XXVI. Remarks relative to the affinities and analogies of natural objects, more parti- 

 cularly of Hypocephalus, a Genus of Coleoptera. By John Curtis, Esq., F.L.S. 

 8fc. 8fc. 



Read April 4, 1854. 



1 HE number of extraordinary new forms, which have been discovered of late years, has 

 led to a great deal of speculation regarding their position in the scale of nature. This 

 has been exceedingly useful and instructive, although often very perplexing, and I fear 

 that we not unfrequently take the shadow for the substance, mistaking analogies for 

 affinities. The curious, indeed wonderful insect, which Mr. "White exhibited and com- 

 mented upon at a recent meeting of the Linnean Society, will be my apology for offering 

 any remarks upon the subject. 



The affinities of natural objects have been supposed to form a chain, a net, or a series 

 of circles, the last composed of certain definite numbers of types, &c. These ingenious 

 systems have been ably discussed by talented men*, but they have not made a lasting 

 impression, owing probably to the multitude of exceptions that occurred and the gratuitous 

 assumptions necessary to fill up the vacuum occasioned by absent members. We all 

 know that "the Natural System" has been long an object of pursuit, which I expect we 

 shall never overtake. The truth appears to be, that there is no perfect natural system, 

 according to our limited notions ; and it will be a stumbling-block to those who think 

 otherwise, to find that where a few links are forthcoming, which unite certain groups, 

 there are a vast number more discovered, which disturb what promised to be with 

 fewer materials a complete arrangement. Thus we have lines broken, circles not meeting, 

 most curious types presenting themselves to augment infallible numbers, and to be dis- 

 missed by the theorist as inconvenient intruders. No doubt there is a plan in Creation 

 which is not revealed to us ; but to study, write upon, and understand a subject, we must 

 form a system (imperfect though it be), in order to methodise and arrange our materials 

 as they are collected ; and to accomplish this, we must be contented with chains which 

 are continuous, of unequal lengths, either running entirely parallel, or converging, or 

 diverging, but forming Stirpes or Families which harmonise, are easily comprehended, 

 and exhibit various lines of relationship or resemblance. 



In searching for a natural system, we seek for perfect unity or harmony, which being 

 frequently interrupted, we fail in our object, and are disappointed. No doubt harmony, 

 having a divine origin, pervades all creation ; but it is manifest that there are also disturb- 

 ing forces which interfere with that first principle. Even amongst the heavenly bodies, 

 comets in their eccentric course seem to us destined to effect changes in that otherwise 

 perfect harmony. In this Planet which we inhabit, we have abundant evidence, probably 



* Vide the Essays of MacLeay, Horsfield, Vigors, Swainson and Newman. 



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