SEPTENARY SYSTEM. 235 



proposition which it contained. The bitter and declamatory 

 language of these criticisms was, doubtless, intended to super- 

 sede the necessity of argument, as by this devise the various 

 scribes cunningly preclude the possibility of a reply. Still, 

 though there has appeared nothing like a refutation of the 

 proposition contained in " Sphinx Vespiformis," I anrunable to 

 boast of success in the way of proselytism. Unwilling that a 

 system, which I believe to be the only true one, should so early 

 sink into oblivion, I have attempted, in the following pages, 

 again to call the attention of Entomologists to the subject. I am 

 well aware there are many excellent Entomologists, who say that 

 system is inapplicable to any useful purpose ; and, therefore, 

 that the inquiry is an idle one. Others, however, think differ- 

 ently, and regard system as the high object and aim of their 

 researches. It is to the latter class I more particularly address 

 myself. 



It will be my endeavour to avoid entirely the dangerous and 

 difficult subject of affinity and analogy. If either of the words 

 occur, it will be incidentally, and without any reference to their 

 theoretical value. With every attempt at precision of language, 

 it is difficult wholly to exclude words in common use, yet I am 

 persuaded, that a great benefit would be conferred on zoology 

 if every word were restricted to one decided meaning, and em- 

 ployed with that meaning only. In attempting to attain this 

 precision, writing may occasionally appear pedantic, but even 

 this fault is preferable to that of vagueness. 



The object of the present article is not to retrace the argu- 

 ments employed in " Sphinx Vespiformis," but to supply some 

 deficiencies which occur therein. It will not, however, I 

 trust, be deemed an unnecessary prolixity if I here recapi- 

 tulate the principles of the Septenary System. They are these: — 

 1st. That all natural groups are divisible into seven minor 

 groups. 2dly. That in all groups thus composed of seven 

 minor groups, one of such minor groups contains beings more 

 perfect than those in the^other six. 3dly. That each of the six 

 minor groups contains individuals equally related to the more 

 perfect group, though each probably through some different 

 character. 4thly. That each of the inferior groups containing 

 individuals equally related to the more perfect group, such rela- 

 tion could only be accommodated by placing the more perfect 

 group in the centre, and the others around it, this — _ 



