Nomenclature of Ornithologj/. 189 



however thus applied are not scientifick, but provincial, as if to 

 make a compromise for the concession. But is not this, in eflfect, 

 the very process which the sticklers for what is called the esta- 

 blished nomenclature affect to condemn ? The follower of the 

 modern views in science discovers, in an extensive family, a dis- 

 tinctly characterized group ; he calls it a genus, and designates it 

 by a scientifick name. The adherent to the Linnean nomenclature 

 acknowledges the same distinct group ; he calls it a section of 

 the Linnean genus, and designates it by an uuscientifick name. 

 The process is precisely the same, the terms made use of alone are 

 different. Here again I will ask Avhich mode of nomenclature is 

 more simple, more instructive, more truly scientifick, — we will take 

 the same examples as above, — that of describing our birds as Astur 

 albus and Milvus ater of Ray and the older Ornithologists, or as 

 Falco albus, belonging to the section " Les Autours" of M • 

 Temminck, and Falco ater, belonging to the section " Les Milans^^ 

 of the same authour. 



One of the chief advantages which Linnaeus conferred upon 

 science was the philosophical principles on which he established 

 the art of nomenclature. However he might have been indebted 

 to some of his predecessours, to our own Ray in particular, for his 

 original views on this subject, he certainly gave the final polish to 

 the system, and established it on the most lasting foundation. The 

 edifice which he lived to complete both in its bolder outlines, and 

 its minuter details, was simple, solid, beautiful ; — a perfect Dorick 

 structure. Perhaps when Ave consider the varying nature of the sci- 

 ence which he cultivated, varying as the materials with which it is 

 conversant increase or become more known, this portion of his la- 

 bours may be considered that which is least likely to be superseded 

 by the more extensively informed views of his successours, and 

 that on which his reputation may ultimately be found chiefly to 

 rest. One of his principles in this art appears to me eminently 

 ^imple and efficient, that of designating every separate production 

 of nature, above the rank of an individual, by a generick and 

 specifick name ; the former to point out its station in nature, and 

 its distinction from every other group ; the latter to indicate its 

 M-parution from every other species that may co-operate with it 



