PREFACE. xvii 
more appropriate than the English ; and it 
would perhaps be better sometimes to 
Anglicise the word than to translate it. 
This is indeed the case with all technical 
language : it is extremely difficult to retain 
the precision of Linnsean nomenclature, in 
rendering it into any other language. It 
were, therefore, much to be wished, that, 
instead of endeavouring to erase from their 
translations all expressions which do not 
obtain in common conversation, naturalists 
should rather, by general agreement, adopt 
a style of phraseology as nearly allied as 
possible to the Latin, — concise, and appro- 
priated solely to the use of systematic 
writers. This would tend to diminish, and 
not to increase, the difficulties which attend 
the engaging study of natural history in all 
