Transactions of the Linnean Socictj/. 579 



almost all of them framed with a view to distinguish. In illustra- 

 tion of this remark, he takes a rapid view of the plan pursued in 

 the systematic Avorks of De Candolle and Cuvier, and objects 

 strongly to the repeated subdivisions which have recently been in- 

 troduced, considering himself that class, order, genus, and species, 

 are fully sufficient for all the purposes of a natural method. He 

 also objects to the assumption, in the present state of our know- 

 ledge, that we have succeeded in assigning to each individual a 

 certain place in nature ; contending that although some natural 

 groups are so evidently marked, that the individuals composing 

 them are united by the operation of the mind at the first glance, 

 yet that a mass will always remain which cannot be referred to 

 families thus strikingly distinguishable. On this account he ap- 

 plauds the plan pursued by Jussieu, who candidly acknowledged 

 that it exceeded his ability to assign their proper places to many- 

 genera, some of which he set aside as being altogether of uncer- 

 tain situation, others as being merely allied to certain of his 

 families, and a third portion as not having been yet sufficiently in- 

 vestigated to authorise him in pronouncing concerning them. 



In this brief outline we have only attempted a sketch of the 

 leading principles advanced by Mr. Bicheno, in the paper before 

 us. It contains many facts and much reasoning, which demand 

 for it the most careful perusal and consideration, but to which we 

 cannot even allude. The remarks on the terms genus and species 

 are especially valuable, and are adapted to excite the particular 

 attention of those who have been in the habit of regarding these 

 conventional words as indicating some real and immutable exist- 

 ence in nature, and not merely as convenient abstractions. 



We now proceed to notice those papers the contents of which 

 are purely zoological ; arranging them according to the subjects to 

 which they are devoted. 



*■'• An Account of a Pair of hinder Hands of .the Orang Otang, 

 deposited in the Collection of the Trinity House, Hull : by John 

 Harwood, M.D., &c.," describes, and gives the measurements of, 

 these specimens, which appear to be the largest hitherto recorded, 

 being fifteen inches and a quarter in length, and exceeding by 

 upwards of an inch those noticed by Dr. Abel, in the Asiatic 

 2o 2 



