^02 Scientific Intelligence. — Netv Publications. 



\y the history of any of these, without collecting together his 

 double and triple synonyms'; and thus that space which might 

 otherwise be devoted to a more extended description of species, 

 or to general observations on their habits and economy, is ne- 

 cessarily occupied by an uninteresting, and, in itself, useless list 

 of erroneous specific appellations. It would therefore be ad- 

 visable, now that the true distinguishing characteristics of the 

 species are so much better known, to cease referring to his un- 

 necessary multiplication of names^ unless when the detection of 

 further error renders such reference necessary. By this means 

 systematic works might either be presented in a more portable 

 form, or space would be afforded for a more extended description 

 of such variations, as form the links of those consecutive changes 

 of character, which sometimes so beautifully distinguish, while 

 they connect, the young and adults of innumerable species. At 

 all events, it appears to be quite unnecessary to perpetuate the 

 record of palpable error, on the part of any one observer, when 

 the truth has not only been ascertained, and demonstrated, but 

 universally admitted. 



The inconveniences arising from a too rigid adherence to a 

 defective nomenclature, have been increased rather than counter- 

 balanced, by the misdirected activity of those, who, mistaking 

 alteration for amendment, have pursued an opposite extreme, 

 and fallen into a more glaring error. Led on by the prevailing- 

 spirit of innovation, many modern writers on zoology seem to 

 have imagined, that, because numerous errors existed in the old- 

 er systemrs, *^ all that they inherit should dissolve ;" and that, to 

 remedy the evil, nothing short of a radical change, both in name 

 and nature, would suffice. In several instances, however, the 

 object has certainly been very ingeniously attained by a more 

 simple process, for, by a careful adoption of new terms, and a 

 strict adherence to well known and long established principles, 

 an air of novelty has been thrown over many a fair fabric, the 

 substantial materials of which are indeed of sufficiently ancient 

 origin. All this would be amusing enough, if there was no ma- 

 lice mingled with their weakness, but it is rather too much to be 

 told by those who owe every thing to his past existence, (for 

 had he been alive now, it is scarcely to be supposed that their 

 names would ever have been bruited in the eai:s of men), that 



