134 
BRITISH BEES. 
and theoretically, however generic groups may be sub¬ 
sequently divided to suit views or to meet systems, the 
primitive generic type is assumed to retain the primitive 
generic name. It is much to be doubted whether, in 
every case, the type is the true pattern, or leader, or 
centre of the group called the genus; nor is it likely if 
genera be natural groups. It has usually been accident 
which has dropped upon the favoured species, and not a 
well-calculated and thoroughly digested selection, and 
which, although accepted, will require emendation or 
change if the whole collective series should ever be ob¬ 
tained. 
It is the necessary result of the imperfection of our 
intellect, and one of the dominant conditions of over¬ 
ruling time, that one thing must follow the other. It 
is, therefore, neither an expressed nor even an implied 
inferiority that puts one species before the other in a 
generic group; or one genus before the other in their 
successive order. Affinities may lead both species and 
genera in varying directions, although treated descrip¬ 
tively as of linear succession, in which order they are 
*- ' •/ 
usually arranged, but this is unavoidable and therefore 
not derogatory. It is for the mind to conceive their 
radiation from a type, or their parallelism with other 
forms, even in the connection of affinity, and not merely 
of analogy, for the latter can be expressed even in 
arrangement. 
Thus encouragement attends the beginner at the very 
outset of his study, and the prospect of a wide field for 
discoveries, in all directions, lies open to him. 
The FxVMily, after the Genus, is the next natural group 
at which we arrive, proceeding synthetically. Its cha¬ 
racters, succeeding to those of the Order, group together 
