NATURAL HISTORY. 1 55 



When the usual indices of this mineral appear, 

 the augur ought to be applied ; and I earnestly 

 recommend voluntary associations of opulent and 

 observing men, for the discovery of coal. A 

 fruitful mine within 30 miles of the Great Cana 

 will be the nucleus of immense wealth. 



LETTER XXXVII. 



Western Region, August, 1820. 

 My Dear Sir, 



The Systema Naturae of Linnaeus has been 

 eloquently described as " the Bible of Nature, the 

 great nomenclature of natural science ; where 

 every generic character is a family portraiture, 

 and every specific description a miniature; and 

 where, by a few simple appropriate terms, the 

 image of every distinct object on the globe we in- 

 habit is reflected on the mind and the memory;" 

 and Dr. Johnson has jnstly observed that *' the 

 stream of time, which is continually washing 

 away the dissoluble fabrics of other systems, pas- 

 ses without injury by the adamant of Linne." 

 The object of Linnaeus was to simplify natural 

 science by systematic arrangement, methodical 

 classification, and comprehensive description. 

 His classes, orders, genera, species, arid varieties. 



