120 BKITISH BEES. 



accurately to determine accurately natural objects indi- 

 vidually. Once the clue of the labyrinth caught, the 

 seeming intricacy of its involution vanishes ; for vehen a 

 clear conception of the general scheme is obtained, the 

 solution of the parts is comparatively easy. The same 

 principle rules throughout, however variously treated. 



The large divisions of nature appear simple and dis- 

 tinct enough in their great frame, but when we approach 

 their confines, close investigation discovers analogies and 

 afHnities, which, where the separation seems most appa- 

 rent, create insuperable difficulties, and render linear 

 succession, or distinct division, nearly an impossibility. 

 Here we find parallelism, and there radiation, and else- 

 where a complicated reticulation without subordination ; 

 and this is one of the great problems, which it is the office 

 of the mature naturalist to endeavour to solve. The pre- 

 sent work has to do, however, with but one small portion 

 of the whole. 



Thus we see that, in order to arrive at a knowledge of 

 natural objects, a method must be pursued to avoid being 

 overwhelmed by their multiplicity, whereby confusion 

 would be produced in the mind which their methodical 

 investigation tends to dissipate. Their abundance pre- 

 cludes the possibility of their being all equally well 

 known, although it is very desirable to have a general, if 

 even superficial acquaintance with them, that is to say, 

 in the broad and distinguishing features of their large 

 groups, for as to an accurate knowledge of all their 

 species, it would be futile to attempt it. Possessing this 

 general knowledge, the attention may be turned with 

 greater advantage in any special direction, and that pur- 

 sued to its entire acquisition. 



Natural objects have been arranged in Kingdoms, 



