ON THE NATURAL SYSTEM. lv 



reasons might be adduced in favour of the supposition, that the three 

 aberrant divisions of Mr. Macleay (Acrita, Mollusca, and Eadiata) 

 unite and form a circle of their own. 



7. Limiting our attention to the sub-kingdom Vertebrata, who does 

 not perceive that the fishes make as near an approach to the aquatic 

 serpents as to the aquatic quadrupeds ? or that the Reptilia (Macl.) do 

 not evince a much greater tendency to unite with the fishes than with 

 the birds ? Between these last and the reptiles, the hiatus is not only 

 wide, but vast. Yet the similarity which some of the water-serpents 

 bear to the eel-like fishes is so strong, that a cursory observer would 

 not detect the two classes. A single genus, in fact, would be sufficient 

 to render the union perfect. 



8. Finally, looking to the aberrant group of the class Aves, it might 

 be expected that I should shew in what manner they are united. I 

 shall not, however, at present attempt to do this. Not only is it 

 highly probable that several important forms among the Nat at ores 

 are extinct or undiscovered*, but I consider the circular arrangement 

 of the Rasores, as proposed in the Linnaean Transactions, to be com- 

 pletely artificial. 



From these considerations it appears highly probable, that the same 

 principles which regulate the natural arrangement of the Insessorial 

 birds, are prevalent in all the higher groups of nature. 



9. The most comprehensive view which the human mind can ever 

 obtain of that sublime Plan which has emanated from Omnipotence, 

 must, in every branch of science, be partial and imperfect j\ From 

 such a Being nothing can emanate but what is replete with order and 

 harmony, with design and instruction. Of this the holy records of His 

 word assure us, and the works of His hand proclaim the solemn truth. 

 " The instruction of man," says a learned and pious naturalist, " was 

 best secured by placing before him a book of emblems or symbols, in 



* Since the above was written, I find that two extraordinary genera, which seem to disturb all 

 the systems, as partaking both of the nature of the Natatores and the Rasores, have been discovered 

 in South America. They have been just described by my learned and estimable friends, MM. Isidore 

 Geoff. Saint-Hilaire and Lesson, under the generic names of Attagis and Thinocorus. These forms 

 I have not yet seen. 



t See also Annul. Jav., Pref, xii. 



