FRANCIS WILLUGHBY. 
39 
While-blooded animals. 
Testacea, Crustacea, mollusca, insects. 
Under these genera he arranges in subdivi- 
sions the various species of animals which he had 
observed. 
The system is not considered as in any respect 
perfect, much less as sufficient to supersede some 
modern systems. It is chiefly remarkable as 
being the first recorded attempt at system among 
the Gentiles; and 'thus, its merit would seem to 
consist in its originality, unless we take heed to 
the affirmation of some ancient Jews, that Aris- 
totle had derived his knowledge of Natural His- 
tory from Solomon, having seen some of that 
monarch’s treatises, and which some Jewish 
writers of antiquity maintained to be extant in 
their time under an Arabic translation.* 
Could it be shewn that the system ascribed to 
Aristotle was suggested by his acquaintance with 
any prior zoological arrangement, then his merit 
would consist in the discernment which led him 
either to select the arrangement itself, or in his 
sagacity to improve on it ; if it was original, its 
praise can only be duly awarded by those who 
consider the immense difference which exists 
between individual discovery and the capacity 
of apprehending, and of improving upon, the 
* Ce qui me paroit tres sur, c’ est que ce livre existe ; 
il doit contenir un ample commentaire sur les plantes et 
les animaux de 1’ Ecriture, et toute la doctrine de la 
philosophic orientale. — Scheuchzer. 
