34 MEMOIR OF 



development of the natural system in the modified 

 sense of the term ; but naturalists are still unde- 

 termined upon whieh of their systems the exalted 

 title shxwld be bestowed. 



Both artificial and what are considered to be 

 natural systems have their respective advantages 

 and disadvantages. The advantages of a good 

 artificial system, are, that it facilitates research 

 after an unknown object, and thereby renders the 

 study of natural philosophy more inviting to 

 those who propose to make respectable attain* 

 ments merely in any of its departments. 



The disadvantages of an artificial system are* 

 that it disregards the order of nature,* which it is 

 the chief object of Natural History to develop ; 

 that, from its nature, it cannot be formed on 

 general principles, in which alone the complex 

 relations of natural objects can be determined ; 

 that it involves a multiplication of divisions* 



* This disadvantage is thus illustrated by Mr Swain- 

 son. Alluding to the best classification of quadrupeds 

 extant, he observes-, ' Commencing with the oran-otan, 

 the series passes thence to the baboon, the monkeys, the 

 howling apes, the prehensile monkeys, and the bats. So 

 far there is an evident appearance of a natural series, and 

 we begin to think the author is really arranging animals 

 according to the order of organization ; but when we have 

 arrived at the end of the n'rst fragment of the chain, and 

 dismissing all idea of continuity, we are to begin on another. 

 Immediately after the bats are placed the hedgehogs, and 

 following them come the bears. Every person possessing 

 the slightest knowledge of these animals must perceive 

 &QW unnaturally they are combined." 



