300 Advantages and Disadvantages of 
plan I speak of. Having shown the bright side of the case, 
we must now do justice, and, turning the picture, look to the 
disadvantages. But, first, I must mention a circumstance 
attendant on some, though not on all, periodical works, of 
which I stand in doubt, whether it ought more properly to be 
referred to the side of advantages or the contrary, as it will 
be found to belong either to the one or the other, exactly as 
the case may be. I mean, that some of our periodicals 
actually remind one of a ¢ape worm, — they seem to be ab- 
solutely interminable! For example, no conceivable period, 
short of domesday, can be calculated upon for the probable 
termination of such works as the Botanical Magazine and Bo- 
tanical Register, comprehending, as they do, within their capa- 
cious range, plants from every region of the known world. 
So long, indeed, as these works keep up their character, and 
remain under the auspices of men of science and ability, like 
their present conductors, we have no reason to complain ; but 
should they, at any time, from whatever cause, fall off and 
degenerate, verifying the ancient dogma, ‘* Omnia in pejus,” 
the sooner they are brought to a conclusion the better. And, 
no doubt, there is a pleasure in completing any thing ; in being 
able to say, ‘* Now this is finished ;”” — a pleasure which, of 
course, is not to be attained in the case of a work which is 
carried on from generation to generation, and extended ad 
infinitum. 
The almost total absence, too, of every thing like systematic 
arrangement which unavoidably takes place in most periodical 
works, is another inherent quality of a rather (though far 
less) ambiguous character, possessing, along with its manifold 
and great disadvantages, something (and but little) to reeom- 
mend it. By some people, the promiscuous introduction of 
plants or animals side by side, having no manner of con- 
nection with, or affinity to, each other, may be thought to 
present an agreeable contrast and pleasing variety, like the 
miscellaneous ingredients of a mere ornamental parterre ; 
while others (and myself among the number) cannot but re- 
gret the want of that ducidus ordo which the natural, or even 
the Linnean, arrangement of the subjects would afford. Aris- 
totle’s maxim, “ [laparayru waAAov yrwpiua,” is one of general 
application; and in nothing does it hold good more than in 
natural history, the species of a genus being best distin- 
guished — their differences and resemblances most apparent 
— when placed all together in juxtaposition. The book itself, 
likewise, especially if it be voluminous, is far more convenient 
for reference when arranged on some regular plan, whether it 
5 
be a systematic or mere alphabetical arrangement of the 
