ORDER ACCIPITRES. 221 



this was certainly embracing too many species, strongly inter- 

 distinguished, under one head. But if Linnaeus has erred in 

 crowding too many species into one genus, it is equally certain 

 that some subsequent naturalists have not offended less, by 

 the conversion of species into genera *. 



The eagle holds, among the feathered race, the foremost 

 rank, and his station is analogous to that of the lion among 

 the mammalia. There is a general resemblance between the 

 character of the two animals : in both the qualities of ferocity 

 and strength are adorned with a daring courage, and redeemed 

 by a generous magnanimity. The vulgar notions of cruelty, 

 rapine, &c., usually attached to the carnivorous tribes, are, to 

 say no worse of them, exceedingly silly. They may serve to 

 embellish declamation or poetry, when sounding words are 

 found a convenient substitute for just ideas ; but they are 

 calculated only to mislead the understanding, and have no 

 place in philosophical investigation. If the eagle, like other 

 carnivora, subsists on flesh, it is because he cannot help it ; 

 the structure of his stomach and intestines precludes the use 

 of other food. Unprovided with internal organs to reduce 

 other aliment to a nutritive consistence, he does not violate, 

 but fulfils the laws of nature, by the employment of those de- 

 structive weapons with which she has armed him. Neither do 

 these carnivorous propensities constitute a bye-law, or an 

 exception to the grand code of the universe. It is the fiat of 



* It is too much the fashion now, especially among' flippant sciolists, to 

 depreciate the merit of Linnaeus, who was one of the most eminent men of 

 his times, and the greatest of systematic writers. The " Systema Na- 

 ture," with all its defects, is a magfnificent specimen of ing-enuity, industry, 

 and judgment. Its utility, too, is far from being superseded, and the 

 young Zoologist cannot do better than begin by making himself perfect 

 master of it, before he proceeds to the study of any other work on the 

 subject ; otherwise, his notions respecting natural methods will, for a 

 long time, remain confused; he will be unable thoroughly to appreciate the 

 great improvements of Cuvier, and to discern the full extent of mischief 

 produced by the mania of everlasting innovation. — E. P. 



