488 Mr. BiciiENO on Si/stems and Methods 



distinct genus, marked not only by its general habit or aspect, 

 its uses and qualities, l)ut also by essential characters in its teeth, 

 hoofs, and internal constitution." It was the circumscribing 

 these insulated assemblages of species that Linnaeus regarded as 

 the bvisiness of the accomplished naturalist. 



Those therefore who use the word genus in the Linnœan sense, 

 do not employ it with the same meaning as those who regard 

 oenera as merely conventional, and subject to be broken down 

 to suit convenience. The latter \vould do well to employ some 

 other term, else one great object will be lost at which we are 

 aiming ; — the keeping together under some one common head 

 those small assemblages of species which in some instances are 

 so obvious, and so important in enabling us to comprehend and 

 discourse of the scheme of nature. 



^Vhether such insulated groupings really exist, it is for the 

 naturalist to determine, and this can be only inferred from a very 

 extensive knowledge ; but as long as we are v.itnesses to such 

 striking modifications of form as we discover in the genus Erica, 

 llosa, Eriocaulon, Sec, among plants, and in J espertilio, SfrLr, 

 ScaraOccus, &c., among animals, it would be the height of folly 

 to give up a term so expressive and at the same time so useful, 

 or to transfer its received meaning; to some other word which has 

 not been used in the same sense. 



As the success of the systematist depends so materially upon 

 the proper use of these abstractions, I shall now proceed to show 

 some distinctions which it is necessary to keep in view while we 

 employ them. We aim, as I said before, at two distinct objects 

 by the use of systems : we use the artificial for becoming ac- 

 quainted Vvith individuals, and the natural as the means of com- 

 bining them, and enabling the student to comprehend and speak 

 of the general truths relating to nature by a knowledge of a few 

 particulars. 



Division 



