386 Remarks on the Principles on which 



some cases, genera strictly natural have been divided in the 

 most artificial manner ; while in others, where a division 

 might have been made without violating any natural affini- 

 ties, there has still been no regard paid to the subordinate 

 nature of the groups so separated, as compared with that in 

 which they were before included. 



It is more particularly with reference to cases of this last 

 nature that I would make a few remarks on the present 

 occasion. The only principle upon which we can ever esta- 

 blish a correct and natural classification must be that of a due 

 subordi?iation of groups, founded on a subordination of charac- 

 ters. Every body acknowledges the order to be subordinate 

 to the class, the family to the order*, the genus to the family. 

 The same principle, then, requires that if, in any natural genus, 

 we find ground for still further division, the groups so sepa- 

 rated must rank as subordinate to that genus. It is remark- 

 able, however, that this principle, at least as bearing upon 

 the construction of genera, has been almost entirely over- 

 looked in this country ; that is to say, the principle which 

 determines that all groups bearing the same title should be groups 

 of the same value. OntheContinentithas been more appreciated; 

 and, accordingly, the French have instituted what they have 

 termed subgenera for the reception of these small groups, of 

 inferior value to that of the true genera. Among our own natu- 

 ralists there appears, with some exceptions *, to be a general 

 feeling against the adoption of subgenera. I know not in what 

 that feeling has originated, nor stop to enquire into it. I shall 

 only observe, that, if it arises from a mere dislike to the having 

 any intermediate group between the genus and the species it- 

 self, it is still, in some measure, arbitrary with such persons, 

 to which group they will give the name of genus : only they 

 are to remember, that if they affix the title to groups of the 

 smallest value, such as the French have termed subgenera, 

 it is contrary to every right principle to apply the same name 

 to those higher groups (the genera of the French) the value of 

 which is manifestly a degree greater. 



General principles are, perhaps, best illustrated by reference 

 to particular cases. With the view, therefore, of making 

 myself more clearly understood on this subject, I shall take a 

 few examples from the department of ornithology, in which 

 the impropriety in question will, I think, be made to ap- 

 pear. I select this class, not because such examples are more 

 numerous or more conspicuous here than elsewhere, but 



* I allude particularly to Mr. Swainson, who has adopted subgenera in 

 the Fauna Bor. Amer. t and whose views on this subject appear to be guided 

 by the principles I wish to advocate. 



