LINNHAN SYSTEM. — REPTILES, ETC. 154 
to the lowest assemblages, formed from species. He 
was obviously ignorant that there were in nature any 
definite groups. ‘The Linnean genera, therefore, are 
found to be, for the most part, families; still they 
remain groups, many of which, under subordinate di- 
visions, have been preserved entire. And although 
the orders are objectionable, the series of genera within 
those orders show that Linneus consulted natural af- 
finities as much as the artificial plan of his arrangement 
would possibly allow of. Had his disciples, instead of 
being indolently content with treading in the footsteps 
of their master, imitated his example in improving his 
system, as his materials increased, and as fresh light 
broke in upon his subject,—had they done this, they 
would have preserved his name in its original splendour, 
and their own from oblivion. Notwithstanding this, 
however, we strongly recommend to every student a 
careful perusal of the Systema Nature, as essential to an 
acquaintance with modern and existing arrangements, 
whether natural or artificial. Of the latter it is unques- 
tionably the best ; and by thoroughly understanding its 
principles, the student will gain a general acquaintance 
with forms, and a conviction how utterly useless all iso- 
lated arrangements now are, when we have to deal with 
such enormous multitudes of species. 
(203.) The reptiles, under the name of Amphibia, 
were placed by Linneus after the birds. It does not 
appear, however, that our author had very definite no- 
tions on this class, as will appear from the three sub~ 
divisions under which the whole are arranged ;—viz. 
1. Reptiles, furnished with feet ; 2. Serpentes, destitute 
of feet; and, 3. Nantes, furnished with fins, and 
breathing by lateral openings. The first and second 
comprise the modern classes of Reptilia and Amphibia, 
but the third are true fishes. It is, indeed, surprising 
that Linneus should have fallen into this mistake, after 
Artedi had pointed out the true situation of these ani- 
mals. The class of reptiles does, indeed, pass into that 
of fish, by means of the ichthyosaurus, and the sharks ; 
L 4 
