Considerations pertaining to Classification, 485 



instructors in this and every other branch of natural history 

 will, in the exposition of their views, use as much simplicity 

 and clearness as they possibly can. The object of their 

 labours is to reveal science to our delighted eyes, not to 

 hide her from us by drawing a veil of mystery over her 

 face. Mr. Jenyns's style is clear, open, and manly in the 

 general ; but he has here and there fallen into the error 

 of using expressions not generally understood, as " true 

 philosophical principles," " neglect of these principles," and 

 many other well-sounding passages, conveying no meaning. 

 I know, from my own feelings, that philosophical, clear, 

 sound, correct, natural principles or views mean one's own 

 views, or views that coincide with one's own ; while, by 

 unphilosophical, indistinct, unsound, incorrect, artificial prin- 

 ciples, we simply mean the opinions of Others when in op- 

 position to our own. The scientific readers of papers of this 

 kind set the right value on these expressions; but the be- 

 ginner meditates thus : " True philosophical principles ! ah, 

 I must enquire what this means. What a deal I have to 

 learn ! " Had Mr. Jenyns written thus : — " genera con- 

 structed on my own plans, which are these," &c, the student 

 would have been led on by the hand to knowledge as a plain 

 affair ; but " philosophical principles," like a Gorgon's head, 

 are petrifying. The application of these observations is in- 

 tended to be by no means confined to the excellent com- 

 munication on which I have ventured thus to comment. 

 The learned writer, in the present instance, appears to have 

 fallen, through inattention, into the unmeaning common-places 

 alluded to, rather than advanced them as conveying definite 

 ideas. 



The errors in this communication are manifold. While 

 writing it, I have been engaged in an occupation, to which 

 natural history is the very antipodes; and he who does two 

 things at once, does neither well : let this be my excuse. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Deptford, September, 1833. : 1<J fe^«nol q Edward Newman. 

 M. bri/i acM'sp? fili-rgnifi f a*3iqraBX9 ea 



sdrfjo yuan bun .- «w woHiWadT ^m mom ban witemiob 



8 rir,93 1i bm sec "™-*« n 9 ' ifi W^ * lm \ 



> izm etU e*l oi Jdauo ii AaUli bipod* l*?.ga 

 Art. II. Considerations pertaining to Classification, in relation to 



the Essay (p. 385—390.) of the Rev. L. Jenyns on this Subject. 



By Edward Blyth, Esq. ,' ( ^ h {^ , Q xig c&ukni dofy 



Sir no iuj ai asiiimai ijbua lo q 



Your excellent contributor Mr. Jenyns, in his endeavour 

 (p. 385—390.) to elucidate his views on systematic arrange- 



i i 3 



