REMARKS UPON ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE. 



527 



and similar observations have been made eventually leading to the dis- 

 covery of a " chain." Naturalists, having observed there exists a 

 connexion between all the species of animals, have attempted to class 

 them according to their affinities, so as at once to exhibit the chain, with 

 all its numerous links, in their relative places. As to the proper 

 situations of the various links, differences of opinion have always existed, 

 and will continue to exist so long as there are wantonly meddling indi- 

 viduals, who cannot be induced to refrain from disorganising the classi- 

 fications of their predecessors. Systems of classification formed in 

 accordance with the relations animals bear to one another in their 

 outward structures, are undeniably the most simple, the most assistant 

 to the purposes of study, and the most easy of remembrance. The 

 singular methods of classification, designated quinary and septenary, 

 have the least claims to be considered as systems, for besides the very 

 numerous objections attached to them, they are never found to be 

 perfect in the arrangements upon which they proceed. Mac Leay 

 endeavoured to form a quinary system of entomology ; subsequently 

 Vigors a similar system of ornithology ; but the systems of both were 

 imperfect. Lately another schemist has sprung up, and offered a 

 septenary system for the classification of insects, stating that his own 

 will be found to be the true, natural, and scriptural system, and that 

 all others are unnatural, and inferior. When common sense fails us, 

 perhaps we may be induced to credit his assertion, and award him the 

 palm of merit, for his natural system ; but while we preserve our 

 judgments we must decide in favour of such systems as those of Cuvier 

 and of Lamarck. With great truth has Professor Burnett remarked, 

 that 4f Nature's materials may be perverted, and her working plans are 

 often misconstrued,- but this is our error, not her fault. Thus we find 

 systems of science, the most unnatural and vague, may be constructed 

 of facts, the value of which may be indisputable and great ; just as the 

 materials that were wasted on a Babel would have built a pyramid ; 

 and as those same marbles, which to the Turks are merely stones, were 

 statues in the temples of the Greek The same agreeable writer ? 

 with equal truth, has observed, that the " distinction between a science 

 and the things it treats of, though of primary importance, is too often 

 overlooked ; and the means taken for the end to be attained ; a fatal 

 error, and one that leads to many misconceptions. For the latter are 

 immutable, the former always changing; that, is but the instrument of 



* Burnett's Outlines of Botany, p. xi. 



s s 2 



