LINN^AN SYSTEM. 
XXV 
sprays of the tree of nature ; but the larger braiiclies were left to 
chance and the caprice of scientific men.” * ‘‘ Like the religion of 
Mahomet,” says Mr. MacLeay, “ the Linnsean system has given 
rise, in some parts of Europe, to an unfortunate species of self-con- 
tent, a barbarous state of semi-civilization, which is so far worse 
than absolute ignorance, that the existence of it seems to preclude 
every attempt at further improvement ;”f and again, in no very gra- 
cious phrase, he talks of ‘‘ the defunct or dying Linnsean school ;” f 
and in terms still more marked he says, “I myself was one of the 
first, I acknowledge, to declare just war against them ;” the 
old Linnsean school of England,”] ‘‘but they are now at their 
last gasp. A few days more and their existence will be matter of 
history,” § The truth seems to be, that the Linnsean system 
mainly contributed to extinguish the genuine study of nature, and 
rendered it unpopular for many years; since almost every writer 
surrendered himself unconditionally to its shackles, and of course 
repelled every student imbued with a particle of philosophy or of 
taste, or alive to the glorious beauties of the Creation. 
The reader may at once see the difference between the dry, 
lifeless, marrowless, and unphilosophic descriptions of the Lin- 
nsean School, and the plan pursued in the present work, by com- 
paring the two accounts of any particular bird, — the eagle, for 
example, or the bank swallow (Hirundo riparia^ Ray.) The 
latter is thus described by Linnseus : “ Cinereous ; chin and belly 
white. Inhabits Europe and North America; four inches and 
three-quarters long ; builds in holes in sand pits and banks of 
rivers. Bill blackish; throat encircled with a mouse-coloured 
ring ; legs black, downy behind.” Ij 
* Zool. Journ. i. 430. f Horse Entomol. Pref. p. 21. 
1; Zool. Journ. iv. 408. 
§ A Letter on the Dying Struggle of the Dichotomous System. By W. S. 
MacLeay, Esq. M. A. Addressed to N. A. Vigors, Esq., M. A., Sec. Zool. Soc. 
page 35. 8vo. Printed by R. Taylor, London, 1830. 
II Turton’s Linnseus, i. 629. The original, still more brief, adheres to the 
rule of twelve words : H. riparia, cinerea, gula abdomineque albis — Habitat in 
Europae collibus arenosis abruptis, foramine serpentino.”— Linnseus, Syst. Nat. 
Ed, 12. p. 344. This is besides quite inaccurate ; for the bird does not “ inhabit 
a serpentine hole it only rears its young there : few birds make any other use 
of their nests. 
