GENERIC SYSTEM. 
37 
divisions of genera, which, according to prescribed 
rules, are nevertheless distinct, and the fallibility 
to which all human systems are too plainly subject, 
have occasioned, most indisputably, many errors 
in the classification of the individuals ; but this 
affects only the question of accuracy in a catalogue ; 
and it is not of material importance to the elemen- 
tary inquirer, whether these doubtful species can, 
or cannot, be better placed than they are at pre- 
sent. An addition to the number of subdivisions 
might, it would seem, be sometimes beneficial, and 
render the work of classification more satisfactory 
and easy. Those shells which are deficient in some 
one point alone of their analogy, might, when se- 
parated into natural families, or sections of genera, 
distinguished by those affinities which they do 
possess, more readily find the proper situation to 
which they are entitled. But it is pretty evident, 
that by an increase of genera, you do any thing 
rather than simplify ; and simplicity is surely as 
much a desideratum in Conch ology, as in other 
branches of natural history. It may be as well to 
mention here, that the terms Cochleae and Con- 
chae, often adopted by writers on this subject, the 
