Xiv PREFACE. 



acquires new dignity; and instead of being con- 

 versant merely with exterior forms and nominal 

 distinctions, becomes acquainted with the laws and 

 operations of nature a ." 



Though Linnasus first distinguished the natural 

 from all artificial systems ; yet with true philosophic 

 caution he was satisfied, at the early period when 

 he wrote, that the first step towards ascertaining the 

 plan on which organized beings were constructed, 

 was to acquire some general knowledge of the be- 

 ings themselves. He therefore cultivated his artr- 

 ficial systems and his specific differences, to the 

 comparative neglect of the higher branches of the 

 science; and imagined that his time was thus more 

 rationally employed, in collecting materials for him- 

 self and others to work upon at some future period, 

 than if he commenced at once the investigation of 

 natural affinities. 



This methodical order in the study of the science 

 on which he threw so much light, is one of the best 

 proofs of his excellent sense : nay, a deviation from 

 it by an ordinary individual at that time would 

 have argued as much presumption as ignorance. 

 But there are exceptions to every rule, and Lin- 

 naeus was so gifted by nature, and undoubtedly 

 possessed such an intuitive knowledge of her ar- 

 rangement, that we cannot but regret that his time 



* Roscoe, Linn. Trans, vol. xi. 



