xxxiv 



THE QUINARY SYSTEM. 



them in conterminous assemblages, and to retain each assem- 

 blage, at least in idea, separate from the rest. It is not, however, 

 at the point of junction between it and its adjoining groups, that > 

 I look for the distinctive character. There, as M. Temminck 

 observes, it is not to be found. It is at that central point which 

 is most remote from the ideal point of junction on each side, and 

 where the characteristic peculiarities of the groups, gradually 

 unfolding themselves, appear in their full development ; it is at 

 that spot, in short, where the typical character is most conspicu- 

 ous, that I fix my exclusive attention. Upon these typical emi- 

 nences, I plant those banners of distinction, round which corres- 

 ponding species may congregate, as they more or less approach 

 the types of each. In my pursuit of nature, I am accustomed to 

 look upon the great series in which her productions insensibly 

 pass into each other, with similar feelings to those with which I 

 contemplate some of those beautiful pieces of natural scenery, 

 where the grounds swell out in a diversified interchange of valley 

 and elevation. Here, although I can detect no breach in that 

 undulating outline, over which the eye delights to glide without 

 interruption, I can still give a separate existence, in idea, to every 

 elevation before me, and assign it a separate name. It is upon 

 the points of eminence in each that I fix my attention, and it 

 is these points I compare together, regardless, in my divisions, 

 of the lower grounds, which imperceptibly meet at the base. 

 Thus also it is that I fix upon the typical eminences, that rise 

 most conspicuously above that continued outline, in which nature 

 disposes her living groups. These afford me sufficient promi- 

 nency of character for my ideal divisions ; for ideal they must be, 

 where nature shows none. And thus it is that I can conceive my 

 groups to be at once separate and united ; separate at their typi- 

 cal elevations, but united at their basal extremes." # 



In order to understand what is here meant by type and typical, 

 it may be necessary to state, that all the animals in any particu- 

 lar group, are described as endowed with particular characters, 

 whose union constitutes what is denominated a type (Centrum, 

 Fries;) and in proportion as the species in the group are found 



Zoological Journal, i. 197. 



