FRANCIS W1LLUGHBY. 33 



are intimately connected by structure, habits, and 

 economy : both fly nearly in the same manner, 

 and both live upon insects captured in the same 

 way ; but the goatsucker has also the relation of 

 analogy to the bats, by flying at the same hour 

 of the day, and by feeding in the same manner. 

 The natural system must state these varied rela- 

 tions and resemblances, and prove that they suc- 

 ceed each other in a uniform progression, because 

 it has been repeatedly demonstrated that the 

 contents of one circular group represent the con- 

 tents of another circular group. If, however, by 

 the natural system we are to understand a com- 

 plete development of all the properties and 

 relations of animated beings, the functions they 

 are intended to perform, the principles upon 

 which their forms have been regulated, their 

 indisputable affinities among themselves, and 

 their innumerable analogies to all others, then 

 the natural system is a pinnacle of knowledge to 

 which finite beings can obviously never reach. 

 The system, therefore, which develops principles 

 of the widest application, and brings the elements, 

 if we may so term them, of natural classification 

 into the narrowest compass, is that which 

 obviously makes the nearest approach to nature, 

 and therefore deserves to be distinguished par 

 excellence as the natural system."* Several 

 individuals are named as having proposed the 



* Swainson, Preliminary Lecture, and Treatise on the 

 Geography and Classification of Animals. 

 c 



