142 ON SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY. 
we shall comprehend, in a single group, nearly the whole 
of the Linnean Vermes, the only exceptions being the 
aberrant or imperfectly organised Jnsecta ; such as the 
Cirripedes, the intestinal worms, and the Annelides. 
But let us glance at the principles on which the whole 
animal kingdom is first divided into three primary 
croups ; for it is, perhaps, the most defective point in 
the scheme. The heart is fixed upon as the corner 
stone of the system ; and this error, of adopting one 
exclusive character, and giving it a paramount import- 
ance over all others, contributed perhaps more than ‘any 
‘thing else to blind our author, and prevent him from 
seizing the much more obvious and natural divisions of 
Vertebrata and Invertebrata as the groundwork of his 
system. Be this, however, as it may, a natural group 
will stand any test; and hence we find, that, although 
the true character of some of these orders were not 
perceived, they are for the most part truly natural. We 
shall now proceed to investigate each of these classes in 
detail. 
(194.) The primary divisions and character of Mam- 
malia are as follows : — 
J. Primates. Fore teeth cutting, the upper four pa- 
rallel, except in some species of bats, which have two 
or three tusks, solitary ; that is, one on each side in 
each jaw; teats two, pectoral; of the feet, two are 
hands ; nails, usually flattened, oval: feed on fruits, 
except a few which use animal food. 
II. Brura. Fore teeth wanting ; feet with strong hoof- 
like nails; motion slow: mostiy feed on masticated 
vegetables. 
III. Fer#. Fore teeth conic, usually six in each jaw ; 
tusks longer, grinders with conic projections ; feet 
with claws, which are subulate: feed on other ani- 
mals. 
IV. Grires. Two cutting fore teeth in each jaw ; tusks 
none ; feet with claws, formed for running and leap- 
ing: feed on bark, vegetables, &c., which they gnaw. 
