LINNHAN SYSTEM. — VERMES. 169 
Corallina. Fixed. Stem with filiform calcareous joints. 
Sertularia. Fixed. Stem with filiform fibrous joints. 
Vorticella. Fixed. Stem with fibrous gelatinous joints. 
Hydra. Free. Stem medullous, naked. 
Pennatula. Free. Stem coriaceous, resembling a quill. 
Tenia. Free. Stem or body moniliform, articulated. 
Volvex. Free. Body roundish or spherical. 
Furia. Free. Body linear, and ciliate on each side with re- 
flected prickles. 
Chaos. Free. Body a mere point. 
(220.) The most objectionable part of the Linnean 
system is unquestionably the arrangement of the soft 
invertebrated animals, here placed in the class Vermes., 
But if we bear in mind the state of zoological science 
when this system was formed, and consider that the 
labours of this wonderful man were spread over the 
whole of organised matter, so far from joining in the 
ill-judged censure that has been cast upon him for neg- 
lecting the lower animals, we shall only be astonished 
that his errors were not greater, or that he was able to 
contemplate them at all. It is, therefore, no disparage~ 
ment to Linneus that the labours of his successors have 
obliterated this portion of his system from the pages of 
modern science ; yet it must be remembered, that, as the 
three aberrant divisions of the animal kingdom (Acrita, 
Radiata, and Mollusca) form a natural group by them- 
selves, this group, with but very few exceptions, will 
comprise the whole of the Linnean class of Vermes ; so 
that, even here, in the most objectionable part of our 
author’s system, it seems highly probable that his views, 
in some respects, are more conformable to nature than 
many of those which have recently been promulgated. 
On the whole, therefore, we must: express our convic- 
tion that the name of Linneus must ever remain as that 
of the great father of natural history since the revival 
of learning ; and that the benefits he bestowed upon 
our favourite science are as multifarious as they are 
incalculable. By the unrivalled simplicity of his arti- 
ficial system, and the admirable precision of his no- 
menclature, he enticed votaries and students to the 
