in the ^^ lyictionnaire des Sciences Natiirellesy 105 



Scarnbceus or Carahus for example, is now as extensive in species, 

 as his entire Coleopterous order, we must admit tliat as ample a 

 field for the higher speculations of science is open to the naturalist 

 even in the former apparently subordinate groups, as Linnajus had 

 before him in a group of what is deemed the most comprehensive 

 description. Nor is our process in the distribution of the species 

 of such groups confined, as is frequently objected, merely to 

 analysis. As much combination is employed in comparing and 

 bringing together the allied species, as analysis in subdividing the 

 higher group. And if the synthetick mode of reasoning is to be 

 pronounced the superiour means by which the naturalist arrives at 

 his conclusions, — a gratuitous assumption, however, for Natural 

 Science while it investigates every property of the subjects before 

 it, should equally employ every means in the investigation, — that 

 mode is now not only equally made use of, but is carried to a 

 greater extent than at any former period of the science. We 

 cannot in fact employ the analytick mode of research in the present 

 state of the science without the synthetick. We analyze the 

 genus by synthesizing the species. But this is merely a negative 

 view of the merits of the modern process. A positive advantage 

 conspicuously results from this closeness of investigation. Cha- 

 racters are brought into notice which were overlooked in the 

 earlier stages of science : and in proportion to the extent to which 

 characters of every description become known, is our knowledge 

 advanced of the relative stations in nature of the groups in which 

 they are found. We can form but a contracted view of the natural 

 world when we found our arrangements upon one or two properties 

 or characters only. Such a process may lead to a knowledge of 

 differences, but never can advance the discovery of affniities. It 

 is only by the comparison of all the qualities of groups, as far as 

 the naturalist can discern them, that their affinities and analogies 

 can be satisfactory detected ; and thus only can we attain the 

 probability of making our representations of nature bear any 

 similitude to the true and only system. The very minuteness of 

 our mode of research thus eventually conduces to its comprehen- 

 siveness; and upon these very details are founded the highest and 

 most generalizing views of the science. 



