LINN^AN SYSTEM. BIRDS. 145 



nated by Linnaeus ^renera, are for the most part natural ; 

 for they contain assemblages of animals which, in most 

 cases, have been preserved in more recent systems, 

 although under higher denominations, and split into minor 

 divisions. It is clear, moreover, that this series was never 

 intended to exhibit the progress of nature; but that our 

 author aimed at accomplishing an easy artificial system, 

 suited, in fact, to the then state of science. This is 

 apparent by his placing the rhinoceros after the bat, 

 and the sea-horse between the elephant and the sloth. 

 These monstrous combinations all occur in the order 

 Bruta ; which is itself such a strange and inconsistent 

 group, that we must even feel surprise that Linnseus 

 could, for the sake of convenience, sacrifice to his object 

 that keen perception of natural affinities which he most 

 undoubtedly possessed in a very high degree. With 

 this solitary exception, the internal contents of each order 

 are natural assemblages ; although the construction and 

 situation of several of the orders themselves are de- 

 fective, and of course artificial. The Primates, FercB, 

 Glires, and Cete, are almost precisely what they remain 

 now, excepting that each has been more subdivided ; 

 but the Bruta, Pecora, and Bellua, as before intimated, 

 are but parts of one order, the UngulatcB, of Ray. 



(198.) The ornithological system of Linna;us will 

 now claim our attention. The whole class of birds he 

 divides into six orders, the names of which are as follows. 

 We consider it unnecessary to give the characters in 

 detail, but the modern names are added to each : — 



Cumer, ' Cab. Cycl. 



1 AcciPiTRES. Birds of Prey. Raptores Illiger. 



IL Pic\*L Perching Birds. Passeres. Insessores fig. 



III. Anseres. Aquatic, or Swimming. Palmipedes. Natatores (part) 



IV. Grall£. Wading Birds. Gralls. Grallatores III, 

 V. Galling. Gallinaceous, or Fowls. Gallin;E. Rasores ///. 



VI. Passeres. Perching and Climbing. J |*^^|^^|g ? Insessores. 



(199-) The first violation of natural order which the 

 eye seizes upon in this table, is the division of the land 

 or perching birds {Insessores) into two orders, placed 



L 



