iv 



INTRODUCTION. 



theory or system, with which of course the student must be 

 acquainted, before he can appreciate the worth of any personal 

 observations he may chance to make. On my plan, any person, 

 with a little care, may become a tolerably good naturalist, the 

 first walk he takes in the fields, without much knowledge of . 

 books : on the other, much previous study is indispensable, while, 

 as I shall endeavour to show, this will often be labour thrown 

 away, as it is usually more apt to mislead than to assist. On my 

 plan, the student is a free agent ; on the other, he is chained to 

 the ranks of the monopolists of knowledge. 



III. As systems and classifications have so long usurped almost 

 the exclusive attention of those who have attended to the objects 

 of nature, it appeared necessary to give the student some notion 

 of the proper use of a system, in order to prevent his falling into 

 the error of looking at a system in a false light. I have there- 

 fore thought it important to speak plainly and strongly upon this 

 subject. 



IV. In giving an estimate of the Linnsean system, I have en- 

 deavoured to place the merits of its distinguished author in a just 

 point of view; while I have quoted, to fortify my own opinion, the 

 sentiments of several able naturalists condemnatory of his me- 

 thods, or rather of the use to which these have been preposterously 

 turned by his disciples. 



V. Among the various systems claiming to be natural, I have 

 chiefly directed the attention of the reader to the doctrine of 

 Types, and the Quinary arrangement founded upon it ; because, 

 though it is not exclusively English, being adopted by Denis, 

 Scheiffermuller, and other continental writers — the disciples of 

 Mr. MacLeay speak of themselves as constituting the modern 

 English school. I have judged it my imperative duty to object, 

 in the most explicit manner, to the doctrines and the language of 

 this school ; but while I have considered no terms too strong in 

 urging my objections to the Quinary or Typical system, I have 

 given all due credit to the upright intentions of its author and his 

 disciples, some of whom I have the honour of ranking amongst 

 my friends, and to whom I shall be sorry if the remarks I have 



