44 MAMMALIA. 



We have seen, in the Primaria, that particular plan of conformation so modified as 

 to enable certain species to fly : in the Carnaria, the Seals afford an example of exclusive 

 adaptation to aquatic habits. 



It could only have been the desire to maintain a sort of continuous succession, as in the 

 former instance, which induced our author to range the Mcusiipiata next to the Carnaria ; 

 for they are unquestionably the lowest-organized of mammalians, whence their intrusion 

 so high in the system of the class furnishes another proof of the impropriety of allowing 

 undue importance to particular characters. An order which has a better claim to 

 succeed the Carnaria, is that of the fish-like mammalians, or Cctacea ; but, divested of 

 the herbivorous genera ranged in it by Cuvier, which are strict Pachydermata. (It is 

 scarcely necessary to repeat, that modifications which have reference to habit do not 

 necessarily affect the essential relations of organisms). 



The Pachydermata follow, which, in their turn, must not be regarded as more nearly 

 related to the last, because certain genera of them are analogously adapted for aquatic 

 habits only. We feel compelled to reiterate this general principle, in order to preclude 

 misconception ; the sound inference seems to be, that a tendency to general modification 

 for aquatic habits prevails in this part of the system ; which certainly helps to indicate 

 what orders should be placed in contiguity, though still not of necessity, even admitting 

 that many analogous cases may be cited in corroboration of a vague index being thus 

 afforded.* 



We prefer to aiTange the Ruminantia next to the Pachydermata ; then the Edentata, 

 and the Rodentia ; and last of all the Marsupiata, including the Monotremata of Cuvier, 

 the formerly doubtful points concerning which are now, with slight reservation, finally 

 set at rest. 



It will be perceived that this arrangement is tolerably in accordance with the ordinary 

 cerebral developement, and consequent amount of intelligence, of the eight successive 

 orders. Passing on to the Birds, we commence with a higher intellect (in the Parrots) 

 than is manifested in either of the last three, or, perhaps, four orders ; which agrees 

 with the general proposition stated at p. 43.] 



THE FIRST ORDER OF MAMMALIANS. 



BBIANA, OR MAN. 



Man forms but one genus, and that genus the only one of its order. As his history 

 is more directly interesting to ourselves, and forms the standard of comparison to 

 which we refer that of other animals, we will treat of it more in detail. 



We will rapidly sketch whatever Man offers, that is peculiar in each of his organic 

 systems, amidst all that he has in common with other mammalians ; we will describe 

 his principal races and their distinctive characters ; and finally point out the natur.d* 

 order of the developement of his faculties, both individual and social. 



• Vi.v an instance in point, sec our ri.-mark.i on cerliiiu conformities of structure iil.scrvable iu the two groups of Parrots und llawlis. 



