REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
41 
countrymen, Willughby and Ray, united in the elaboration of an original 
history of British fishes. The writings of these several authors formed the basis 
whereupon, in the middle of the eighteenth century, the mighty Linn.eus founded 
his gigantic and triumphant labours. To the Swedish naturalist it was reserved 
to shape into a science what had hitherto—‘despite the brilliant researches of 
preceding authors—been a mass of undigested or ill-digested materials. From 
the time of Linnaeus to the present day, his disciples—-dazzled by the surpassing 
excellence of his system—have conceived that his classification must last for all 
succeeding ages. The disciples failed to catch the noble spirit of their master. 
They might have perceived the impossibility of any one man’s framing a classifi¬ 
cation of all Nature which should at once and for ever be recognized as complete, 
even supposing there remained no further discoveries of species to be made. But 
the reflecting and experienced naturalist is aware that the addition of even a 
single species may render necessary an alteration. What ignorance, then, of 
natural laws must any one display who, well knowing the great addition to our 
knowledge of species within the last fifty years, would think fit to cry out against 
the smallest amendment upon the plan of Linn^ius ! The doctrine of finality 
cannot possibly enter with advantage into any department of knowledge. Men 
may decree that enlightenment shall cease at a certain point; but God has 
declared that the tendency of the mind is progressive, and therefore all attempts 
at retrogression are as ridiculous as they are futile. While, then, we shall be 
ever ready to defend Linnaeus from the aspersions of opponents, let us not forget 
to shield him from the equally injudicious support of apparent friends. 
It was now comparatively easy for subsequent writers to smooth down the 
asperities in that broad road fashioned by the mighty mind of the Swede; for 
though in some respects the difficulties of Natural Science increase and multiply 
in proportion as we advance to" perfection, yet the grand point must ever be 
considered the attainment of the first rational and comprehensive system. 
Mr. Wilson pursues the classification of Cuvier, to whose admirable works, 
on both the introductory and systematic departments, he expresses himself 
greatly indebted. 
Into any criticism or analysis of Mr. Wilson’s volume it will be unnecessary 
to enter, his treatise being merely intended as an introduction to the science. 
The descriptions of the various groups and of species will be of great assistance 
to the student, while the numerous well-executed steel plates will serve still 
further to explain and illustrate the subject. 
An Introduction to the Natural History of Birds; being the Article “ Orni¬ 
thology,” from the Seventh Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. With 135 
VOL. V.—NO. XXXIV. G 
