ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS. 191 



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 instance, if he be an orni- 



