NO ANOMALIES IN NATURE. 99 



equally small with that of the generality of serpents : 

 the liver is divided into numerous transverse foliations. 

 Vegetable matter^ mouldy and sand are found in the in- 

 testines. Finally^ the only osselet of the ear is a small 

 plate over the fenestra ovalis, as in the salamanders."* 



(103.) We shall now conclude this rapid survey of 

 the amphibians by some remarks upon the sirens. It 

 has been said that these animals, uniting in themselves 

 so many opposite affinities^, " are of the number of those 

 beings which seem peculiarly formed to set classification 

 at defiance, and which are distinguished in the animal 

 kingdom for the anomalies of their organisation." This 

 sentence, however, betrays but a very partial acquaint- 

 ance with the subject. In the first place, we deny that 

 there are any anomalies in nature, although there appear 

 to be many when we attempt to work out her natural 

 groups. Anomahes imply contradictions to established 

 laws j let us ask, therefore, upon what grounds we can 

 term the structure of any being anomalous, before we are 

 acquainted with those laws which it contradicts } If we 

 invent systems of supposed affinities, without any regard 

 to those beautiful harmonies of , representation which 

 nature almost forces upon our notice, not only the siren 

 but innumerable other animals will appear altogether 

 anomalous. The 'contradictions, however, which they 

 present must be laid at the right door ; that is, to the 

 errors of our own systems, and not to the departure of 

 nature from those laws of which we have but an imper- 

 fect knowledge. But let us look to the sirens, or, in- 

 deed, to the \vhoie of the amphibious class, in another 

 point of view. All writers agree that they exhibit as 

 many affinities to fish as they do to true reptiles ; nay, 

 no less a name than that of Camper can be cited for 

 considering the siren as a true fish, belonging to the 

 apodal order of Linnaeus! If then — as nature every 

 where proceeds by " measured steps and slow" in leaving 

 one group and entering upon another — if then, she has 

 given to a group of animals a peculiar organisation inter- 



* CuY. Rdgne Anim., ii. 98. Griff. CuV., pi. 26. p. 281. • 



H 2 



