NEREIS. 143 



therefore the observer must find himself continually opposed by many 

 chasms, leaving a disjointed fabric in his hands. He is thus compelled 

 to select some object new to him for commentary, without being able 

 to constitute its immediate connection with those which are old and 

 familiar. 



If the effort to establish the alliance or estrangement of genera be 

 important, not less so is the mode of discovering the character of animals. 

 It would be most desirable that this were done, if practicable, by external 

 features, in order to preserve the object from destruction ; for it cannot 

 escape the cautious naturalist, that his lacerating the substances, or ex- 

 tinguishing the life of an object, must deprive him of all opportunity 

 of pursuing its habits. 



The ornithologist finds sufficient characters in the formation of the 

 bill and the feet of birds, their plumage, their nests and eggs, to enrol 

 them with the proper genera. He does not kill them, dissect them, and 

 stuff their skins, to discover their position in the Systema. 



The entomologist can arrange his beetles, bees, and butterflies, by 

 their elytra, antenna?, wings, and other parts of external conformation, 

 without mincing them down to find their internal structure. 



But a very different method is recommended, and partially adopted, 

 with certain animals of the extensive orders, classes, and genera of the 

 lower tribes. The external appearance seems to be held of lesser account, 

 and we are directed to lay open the interior of our specimens, in order 

 to assign them their proper positions. 



It must be obvious to all the world, that however excellent this 

 plan, the difficulties of its fulfilment are almost insurmountable. First, 

 it requires a skill in anatomy of which few can boast ; and, secondly, 

 equal expertness in dissection. But the gravest objection arises from the 

 destruction of the life of the subject. Could any other expedient be sub- 

 stituted of equal benefit, it would be invaluable. 



The simplest mode of reaching any ultimate purpose, provided it is 

 conducted with the same certainty as those which are more complex and 

 difficult, is always to be preferred. 



Without presuming to deny the benefit of dissection as a useful and 



