ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS. 19] 
intelligible truths. It is plain, that the philosophy 
of natural history is entirely confined to such systems 
as are founded on the considerations last stated; 
for no pursuit deserves the name of science, strictly 
so termed, which seeks not to obtain general results, 
or to investigate and develope general laws. There 
is nothing very intellectual in simply investigating 
the form of an animal, and in recording its manners; 
because, in these matters, we merely confine ourselves 
to objects of sense and sight. To frame a good arti- 
ficial system, however, is proceeding a step beyond 
this ; because, to make judicious combinations, easy 
to be understood, requires a peculiar tact, and no 
small acquaintance with the different forms of nature. 
On this account, it may be as well, perhaps, to 
enumerate, generally, what are the advantages, and 
what the disadvantages, of artificial systems, before 
we make the same enquiry into those we term 
natural. 
(132.) Artificial systems, then, upon the first 
view, appear more calculated to facilitate our search 
after an unknown object, than any other mode of 
classification. From merely directing the attention 
of the student to one or more striking points of 
structure, they convey to his mind an idea of sim- 
plicity which is at all times captivating, and which, 
to the young beginner, is particularly inviting, from 
the impression it gives of a diminution of labour. 
This impression is generally well founded ; for it is 
obvious, that the more numerous are the characters 
employed, the greater is the trouble imposed upon 
the student, and the more complex will be the 
system they are in. For instanee, if he be an orni- 
