of certain Birds of Cuba. 35 
from the earliest ages, and by the most profound as well as 
ordinary observers. Among the ancient naturalists, Aristotle, 
and among the moderns, Linnzeus, Buffon, Hermann, and IlIli- 
ger, may be especially mentioned as expressing this affinity : 
and the following words of Hermann are too apposite not to be 
quoted.—*‘ Trichecorum ultimus utique esse videtur Manatus, 
cui jam palmz in digitos non distinctee nec unguibus armate, 
nullique posteriores pedes sunt ; sed Rosmarus plantarum pre- 
sentia Phocis propior exsertis dentibus de reliquo cum Hip- 
popotamo conjunctus.” Tab. Aff. p. 127. 
Our business is to represent faithfully affinities and analogies 
as they occur, leaving it to time to smooth away difficulties. 
Although this affinity, therefore, does not coincide with the 
plan of the Régne Animal,—and we cannot refute the assertion 
that there exists a direct relation between the Trichecus Manatus 
and Trichecus Rosmarus of Linneeus,—we must on the other 
hand grant to M. Cuvier, that Trichecus Rosmarus comes most 
nearly to Phoca. But does this admission interfere in the least 
with our plan? Quite the reverse. Our only object is to keep 
close within the road of affinities; and our advantage in thus 
following the variation of structure is, that every natural relation, 
mentioned even by such authors as Hermann, may thus be ex- 
pressed ; and none need be denied merely because they do not 
fall in with our systems of division. 
We thus, therefore, arrive from the Cetacea among the Car- 
nivorous Quadrupeds or Fere ; for since the time of Aristotle, 
who placed the Seal among his zaeyagodora, naturalists have 
never denied this order to be its proper place. Hermann, in- 
deed, places Phoca among that group of Compeda in which he 
ranges the Whale; but then he does not the less make it the 
direct link between that group and the Fere*. 
* Tab. Aff. Anim. p. 115. 
FQ Being 
