4 INTRODUCTION. 



specimen to be Ulva Linza, he becomes able to publish his 

 observation, in a form which at once enables any other observer 

 to seek for the plant, and to repeat or extend his inquiry. 



This is, however, the only utility of names in Natural History, 

 or in any other science. They serve, like money, as the 

 medium of exchange. And for those who pursue science for 

 their amusement only, it cannot be desirable to burden the 

 memory with a large number of names, which can only now and 

 then be useful, and which can easily be ascertained when wanted. 

 Juliet's question "What's in a name?" has a more extensive 

 applicability than she probably dreamt of at the moment she 

 littered it ; yet her own reply shows her to have had a clear 

 notion in her mind, that, in other objects, as well as in her 

 lover, names and properties have no essential connexion ; 

 *' that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as 

 sweet." 



Let us now examine, in a somewhat similar manner, the 

 value of Classification, in the scientific pursuit of Natural 

 History. A very cursory inspection of the forms and structures 

 of the different tribes of living beings, which are constantly pre- 

 senting themselves to our notice, may satisfy the observer, that 

 amongst all there are resemblances and differences; between 

 some, the similarity being a prevailing feature, whilst between 

 others the differences are most obvious. Amidst all the variety, 

 he perceives on closer examination such a prevailing uniformity, 

 that he is led to believe that they are all formed on some general 

 plan or system, analogous to that which is seen to prevail in 

 other portions of the Creator's works. And just as the Astro- 

 nomer is enabled to show, that the great principle of mutual 

 attraction between all the masses of matter in the Universe, not 

 only governs the regular movements of the heavenly bodies, but 

 is constantly producing slight modifications or perturbations in 

 their course (see ASTRONOMY), so does the Naturalist hope that, 

 in the living Kingdoms of Nature, some principle may be dis- 



