GENERIC SYSTEM. 37 



divisions of genera, which, according to prescribed 

 rules, are nevertheless distinct, and the fallibility 

 to which all human systems are too plainly subject, 

 have occasioned, most indisputably, many errors 

 in the classification of the individuals ; but this 

 affects only the question of accuracy in a catalogue ; 

 and it is not of material importance to the elemen- 

 tary inquirer, whether these doubtful species can, 

 or cannot, be better placed than they are at pre- 

 sent. An addition to the number of subdivisions 

 might, it would seem, be sometimes beneficial, and 

 render the work of classification more satisfactory 

 and easy. Those shells which are deficient in some 

 one point alone of their analogy, might, when se- 

 parated into natural families, or sections of genera, 

 distinguished by those affinities which they do 

 possess, more readily find the proper situation to 

 which they are entitled. But it is pretty evident, 

 that by an increase of genera, you do any thing 

 rather than simplify ; and simplicity is surely as 

 much a desideratum in Conchology, as in other 

 branches of natural history. It may be as well to 

 mention here, that the terms Cochlea and Con- 

 chae, often adopted by writers on this subject, the 



