12 



CLASSIFICATION. 



THROUGHOUT the entire series of animal forms there is 

 evidently a gradual and graceful transition from the higher 

 to the lower, until we- find the lowest existing upon the con- 

 fines of the vegetable kingdom. 



To trace the steps of this transition, and thus to institute 

 a natural arrangement in which each species shall maintain 

 its true position in the scale of being, is the aim of the 

 scientific naturalist. To accomplish this, however, demands 

 familiarity with the entire circle of animated nature, and ex- 

 tensive acquaintance with the structure and habits of its 

 several parts. Our yet imperfect knowledge of these sub- 

 jects may account for the diversity observable in the systems 

 of various writers upon Natural History ; a diversity which 

 it may be expected will diminish with advancing infor- 

 mation. 



Some system is yet essential to progress in the study of 



