SYSTEM OF NATURE. 
123 
I can scarcely imagine a zoologist coolly investigating 
the propositions contained in this chapter, and expressing 
a dissentient opinion as to their general accordance with 
nature. In the detail he may detect a flaw : he may dis¬ 
approve of the station occupied by the sloth or the Mega¬ 
therium : he may prefer the usual dichotomous division of 
the reptiles to the one wdiich I have suggested: he may 
contend for the transposition of the mollusks and annelides 
in order to accommodate the resemblances to which I have 
already alluded : still the scheme will remain untouched ; 
still will the truth, the beauty, the simplicity of the arrange¬ 
ment remain unimpaired. I trust to that truth, beauty and 
simplicity as sufficient evidence that it is not of human in¬ 
vention. That I should fail in carrying out much of the 
detail, is not only an inevitable result of my insufficient 
knowledge of Zoology, but is a result to be anticipated 
from the insufficiency of all human intellect to deal with 
questions of such boundless magnitude. In this sketch of 
a system showing characters grouped in circles or radiating 
in lines, yet ever harmoniously blending with each other, I 
cannot but hope the zoologist will admit the existence of 
a design superior to chance, of a perfection and entirety 
distinct from the speculations of man. 
