ANALOGIES OF THE OWLS. 
S35 
into the hawk owls — others, like the S. uralensis, are 
diurnal. Both, however, have the large facial disk 
which gives such a peculiar character to the genus 
before us. Disposing these types in the order we have 
noticed them, we shall find they represent the contents 
of the whole family in the following manner : — 
GENUS STKIX. 
^ 
2 . 3 . 
1. Genera of Orders 
Subgenera. Amlogicctl Characters. the Family. of Birds. 
Strix {Facial disk very largo; great Jj,, . Insessckes. 
an (X. ^ power ot grasping. j 
? ^ Asio. Raptoues. 
^ Natatoreb. 
Scotophilus. Size small ; nostrils tumid. Nj/ctipetes. Grallatores. 
Scatiaptex. Size very large ; tail long. Simtia. Rasores. 
(270.) The direct analogies of the subgenera to the 
orders of birds are too obscure, in our present state of 
knowledge, to claim distinct consideration; and yet, when 
viewed through the medium of the genera of the family, 
there is nothing to militate against the above comparison. 
We have already seen how well the two last columns re- 
present each other, and that the first and the second have 
likewise a close analogy, notwithstanding the uncertainty 
that hangs over one of the subgenera. The truth, how. 
ever, of the above arrangement of the restricted genus 
mainly, if not exclusively, reposes on the different 
structures possessed by the minor divisions, and by their 
close affinity to each other. Until greater experience 
and more profound study force conviction upon the 
minds of certain zoologists on the subject of analogical 
resemblances, we would wish them to look upon this, 
and all other of our' groups, without any reference 
whatever to their analogies, real or supposed. We will 
relinquish — to fall in with their humour — all the im- 
portance which we consider belongs to such relations, and 
rest our arrangement on the mere fact of close affinity : 
nav, more, we will even admit that a truly natural circle 
of affinity can be demonstrated, without the aid of calling 
