( 479 ) 



XX m. On Systems and IMetJiods in JSatnral I liston/. Br/ 

 J. E. Bicheno, Esq., F.R.S., Sec. L.S. 



Read June 4, 1826. 



I PROPOSE to myself on the present occasion to make some ob- 

 servations on Systems and Methods in Natural History ; a sub- 

 ject of great importance at all times, but more especially so at 

 present, when new views of arrangement and nomenclature are 

 proposed, and to some extent adopted. Let me not be under- 

 stood, however, in the general observations which follow, to be 

 opposed to any particular system ; my object being to discuss 

 the first principles of arrangement, and to leave others to judge 

 how far they are applicable to the views adopted by any in- 

 dividual systematist. 



It has appeared to me that the difHculties of the subject have 

 not been duly appreciated ; and the time cannot be unprofitably 

 occupied, if I accomplish no more than to enable us to estimate 

 them. It might even be suspected, from the readiness witii 

 which new systems are adopted, that they have a peculiar at- 

 traction for ardent minds ; as it has not unfrequently happened 

 that young naturalists have found themselves prematurely em- 

 barrassed in a subject, which of all others requires not only an 

 extensive acquaintance with the operations of the human mind, 

 but long experience and various practice. The line of argument 

 I propose to employ, must necessarily be somewhat abstract ; yet 

 I hope I shall be borne with, since the practical naturalist could 



VOL. XV. 3 Q make 



