358 



Mr. H. E. Strickland on the Structural 



between two organic beings is merely a corollary deduced 

 from an observed affinity between the corresponding organs 

 in each ; and though it is not usual to apply the term affinity 

 to the similarities between parts, yet as the similarity between 

 the wholes results from the similarities of their parts, the word 

 affinity may be as correctly applied to the one as to the other. 

 In works of comparative anatomy it is customary to speak of 

 those members which are essentially equivalent in two organic 

 beings as analogous organs, but we shall soon see that the 

 word analogy has a very different sense ; and as the relation 

 between equivalent organs is one of real affinity, and forms 

 the sole ground on which we assert the affinity of the whole 

 beings, we may introduce the adjective qffine or homologous 

 in place of analogous, when referring to structures which es- 

 sentially correspond in different organic beings. 



When we say that Affinity consists in an essential agree- 

 ment of structure resulting from a fixity of purpose in the 

 mind of Creative Wisdom, it must not be supposed that all 

 affinities are equally strong, direct, and palpable. Any agree- 

 ment, however slight, or however concealed by more palpable 

 differences, which forms part of the plan of organic existence, 

 is a true affinity ; and the principle of subordination of cha- 

 racters before referred to is merely the arranging of these affi- 

 nities in the true order of their proximities. The proximity 

 of affinities is in the inverse ratio of their essential importance, 

 the most important agreements of characters being those which 

 have the widest extent, and which therefore form affinities be- 

 tween the remotest points in the System of Organized Beings. 

 We will illustrate this by an example showing the successive 

 series of affinities which the same species bears to others, com- 

 mencing with the most remote, and proceeding to the closest 

 affinity which can subsist between two distinct species. We 

 will take as an example the species Raven (Corvus cora.v). 



A Raven has an 

 Affinity to an 



it is the same Affinity which 

 exists hetween 



and is derived from the 



Affinity between their 



respective 



supplying the dia- 

 gnostic characters 

 of the 



Oak-tree ; 

 Locust ; 

 Salmon ; 

 Swan; 



Humming Bird 

 Sparrow; 

 Jay; 

 Magpie ; 

 Carrion Crow ; 



all Animals and all Plants, 

 Vertehrata and Insects, 

 Birds and Fish, 

 Inscssores and Natatores, 

 Conirostres and Tenuirostres, 

 Corvidae and Fringillidae, 

 Corvinae and Garrulinas, 

 Corvus and Pica, 

 one species of Corvus and an- 

 other, 



Organic Life, &c. 

 nervous systems, &c. 

 vertebral columns, &c 

 circulatory systems, &c. 

 structure of feet, &c. 

 conical beaks, &c. 

 structure of nostrils, &c. 

 short elevated beaks, &c. 

 even tails, black plumage, 

 &c. 



Organic Empire. 

 Animal Kingdom. 

 Province, Vertehrata, 

 Class, Birds. 

 Order, Insessores. 

 Tribe, Conirostres. 

 Family, Corvidce. 

 Subfamily, Corvince. 

 Genus, Corvus. 



