MEMOIR OF RAY. 6" 



only be attained by the exercise of the higher facul- 

 ties. Hence he excelled both as a faithful describer 

 of species and a framer of systems. In comparing 

 the latter with the more celebrated method of Lin- 

 naeus, it ought to be borne in mind that the two 

 systematists had, in a great measure, different ob- 

 jects in view ; and that if our countryman was least 

 successful, he failed in a more difficult object than 

 that to which the other so admirably attained. Lin- 

 naeus adopted an artificial system, of which the only 

 recommendation is the ease with which it enables 

 students to ascertain the names of plants. Desir- 

 ous that this knowledge should not be obtained in 

 an empirical manner, Ray attempted to follow the 

 divisions of nature ; and if he could not trace the 

 Ariadnean thread, he failed in a purpose which has 

 not yet been fully accomplished. Linnaeus was 

 deeply indebted to Ray's various writings, particu- 

 larly in his arrangement of animals ; and a careful 

 perusal of the Synopsis Quadrupedum, and the 

 early editions of the System of Nature, will lead to 

 the wish that the obligation had been more warmly 

 acknowledged. Had not Ray and his cotempora- 

 ries performed the office of pioneers in opening a 

 way for the illustrious Swede, the energies of his 

 comprehensive mind might have been engrossed 

 with the subordinate details of science, and his 

 progress obstructed to that commanding elevation 

 which he now occupies. 



Fully to appreciate Ray's merits, we must not 



