Notices respecting Neiv Books. 429 



and the consequences it brought upon himself during his presidency 

 of the Royal Society." 



We quote this last paragraph not merely on account of its intrinsic 

 truth, but to show that while Dr. Paris fully appreciated the me- 

 rits of the philosopher, as is proved indeed by the ability with which 

 he has described his discoveries, he was fully aware of the weak 

 points of his character. We should also be happy to copy Dr. 

 Paris's very able comparison of the genius of Wollaston with that 

 of Davy, did our limits allow. — We conclude with acknowledging 

 the great pleasure with which we have read Dr. Paris's work, and 

 with strongly recommending it to the perusal of all who delight in 

 tracing the progress of genius successfully applied to the achieve- 

 ment of objects whose value is imperishable. 



Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary ; new edition, " with a Plan of 

 Study, and many new Articles and original Observations. By Jamks 

 Rennie, A.m., A.L.S., Professor of Natural History, King's Col- 

 lege, London ; Author of ' Insect Architecture,' ' Insect Transfor- 

 mations,' ' Architecture of Birds,' 8<c." London, 1831. Octavo j 

 Introduction, &c. pp. Ix., Dictionary and Index, pp. 592; 28 En- 

 gravings on Wood. 



[Continued from p. 379.] 

 We may here usefully make a few observations on the distinction 

 between what is properly called the Natural System and Artificial 

 Systems ; as much needless controversy (in our opinion) has ensued 

 upon^ this particular subject, to which we have already alluded in 

 p. 376. An artificial system, then, as we conceive, is merely an 

 arrangement of species, according to some particular character or 

 characters selected for the purpose, into such groups, of greater or 

 less magnitude, as will enable the naturalist to recognize any species 

 which he may discover or observe, and by ascertaining its place and 

 denomination in the system, obtain a clue to direct him to all the 

 sources of information respecting it, and thus to become acquainted 

 with its importance and value, whether as an object of philosophical 

 investigation, or as one of utility to mankind; or if the species be 

 new (which point it will also determine), it will enable him to define 

 It, and give it its proper place in the system, for future reference. 

 Of such a system, and of the use of such a system, the Linnsean 

 Systema PLanturum, in which the beings of the vegetable kingdom 

 are thus eclectically arranged, according to the characters of the 

 fructification, is an eminent example. 



The Natural System, e contra, is the distributvon of species into a 

 series, accordmg to the mutual relations subsisting between them, 

 ascertamcd by observing the totality of their characters; not by se- 

 lectmg any individual character, or individual set of characters, to 

 serve as the basis of classification. And whether the visible exponent 

 of this system be a series of specimens of the species themselves, a 

 linear representation of it in a diagram, or a verbal expression of it in 

 a book, it is still, in cither shape, as a branch of science, the Natural 

 System ; being, as we have before observed, all that man can know 



