1833.] of the second part Phys. Trans. 425 
- 
Mr. Hopason’s object in this paper is to bring to scientific notice a 
new variety of dog, and to prove that variety to be, as he terms it, the 
Canis primevus. Some of his characters, it will be seen in the above 
quotation, are generic instead of specific. And the circumstances of 
there being six molars in the lower jaw, and of the peculiarities of the 
urine and eyes, and in short the whole differences from the common 
dog pointed out by Mr. Hopeson, surely so far from proving that the 
Buansu is the Canis primevus, the type of the canine race, go very 
rauch in favour of the theory which may be formed by ‘‘ the querulous 
objector,’” who rejecting Mr. Hopason’s speculations may bei nclined 
** to substitute his own; creating, if he pleases, a new subdivision of 
the Digitigrades, characterised by one tubercular tooth behind the great 
carnivorous tooth of the lower jaw.” 
But to enter fully into this subject would be to exceed the limits 
that can be allowed to this paper; and the more unnecessary, that after 
all it would still remain as uncertain as at present. But whatever may 
be the result of Mr. Hopeson’s speculations, he has certainly given in 
the Buansu a new animal to zoology. 
Something should be said upon the subject of the plates and the 
nomenclature. Of the former it may be remarked, that they are consi- 
derably better than the zoological ones of the last part (indeed they 
could not be worse, it may fairly be presumed), though they are much 
inferior to others in the present part. They are evidently fac-similes of 
the drawings made on the spot chiefly by native artists, and it would be 
hazardous to deviate from these even for the sake of pictorial improve- 
ment. It is matter of congratulation that Mr. Hoveson has not fol- 
lowed the system of nomenclature, to which itis to be feared too many 
men of real genius have lent their names, that of calling a production 
of nature after the surname of an individual. It is a practice which 
must tend to the confusion of science ; and which becomes ridicul- 
ous by the ill assorted union of a barbarous cognomen with a classical 
termination. One great reform of Linnzus was the substitution of a 
trivial name for a description, or ¢itulus ; but it was intended that that 
name should be descriptive in itself; so that the mind might be guided 
by the ear. True it is that in some instances even Linnzus forgot his 
own rules ; but the errors of great men should be a beacon to their 
less talented fellows, rather than an example or an excuse. A com- 
pliment of this kind may display an amiable, a grateful, or an admiring 
disposition, when paid to our friends, or to public benefactors ; but, 
this is not a subject in which they should be exhibited, for science is 
surely diverted from its proper channels when made to administer 
merely to private friendship, or to public applause. 
21 
