200 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
jectionable, because, without the explanation already 
given (129.), it would seem to imply a plurality of 
natural systems ; whereas, in fact, there can be only 
one. It is not to be supposed, however, that all the 
laws of natural arrangement are to be developed at 
once; or that, amid the infinite diversity of resem- 
blances which we see in the animal world, erroneous 
combinations may not be formed, which will never- 
theless wear the appearance of following nature. 
Hence arises the necessity of discussing more at 
large the nature of theories, and the considerations 
by which they are to be verified. For our present 
purpose, however, it is merely necessary to state, 
that a natural system of classification aims at two 
primary objects : first, the arrangement of all objects 
according to the scale or series which they may be 
supposed to hold in the order of nature; and se- 
condly, to discover, from such an arrangement, the 
general principles which govern their variation, 
their structure, and their habits. The first of these 
objects is likewise aimed at by the mixed methods 
of classification just noticed ; but the latter—that is, 
the discovery of general laws, or of the fundamental 
elements of the science—is the peculiar character- 
istic of natural systems; because they, and they 
alone, endeavour to solve the principles of those 
harmonies and connections, which, reasoning from 
analogy, we feel convinced must be regulated by 
definite laws. 
