134 BRITISH BEES. 



and theoretically, however generic groups may be sub- 

 sequently divided to suit views or to meet systems, the 

 primitive generic type is assumed to retain the primitive 

 generic name. It is much to be doubted whether, in 

 every case, the type is the true pattern, or leader, or 

 centre of the group called the genus ; nor is it likely if 

 genera be natural groups. It has usually been accident 

 which has dropped upon the favoured species, and not a 

 well- calculated and thoroughly digested selection, and 

 which, although accepted, will require emendation or 

 change if the whole collective series should ever be ob- 

 tained. 



It is the necessary result of the imperfection of our 

 intellect, and one of the dominant conditions of over- 

 ruling time, that one thing must follow the other. It 

 is, therefore, neither an expressed nor even an implied 

 inferiority that puts one species before the other in a 

 generic group ; or one genus before the other in their 

 successive order. Affinities may lead both species and 

 genera in varying directions, although treated descrip- 

 tively as of linear succession, in which order they are 

 usually arranged, but this is unavoidable and therefore 

 not derogatory. It is for the mind to conceive their 

 radiation from a type, or their parallelism with other 

 forms, even in the connection of affinity, and not merely 

 of analogy, for the latter can be expressed even in 

 arrangement. 



Thus encouragement attends the beginner at the very 

 outset of his study, and the prospect of a wide field for 

 discoveries, in all directions, lies open to him. 



The FAMILY, after the GENUS, is the next natural group 

 at which we arrive, proceeding synthetically. Its cha- 

 racters, succeeding to those of the ORDER, group together 



