which one thing might represent another. If he was informed by his
Creator that the works of creation constituted such a book, by the
right interpretation of which he might arrive at spiritual verities as
well as natural knowledge, curiosity and the desire of information
concerning these high and important subjects would stimulate him to
the study of the mystic volume placed before him, in the progress of
which he would doubtless be assisted by that d iv in e guidance which
even now is with those who honestly seek the truth. Both divines
and philosophers have embraced this opinion, which is built upon the
word of God itself*.”
10. All that we can know with certainty on the nature of this
A lm ig h t y B e in g must be gathered from the inspired volume. We
are there expressly told that the G o d h e a d is t h r e e -f o l d , yet o n e
a n d u n d iv id e d . If to awaken, to strengthen, or to increase our faith
in this high mystery, the A l m ig h t y condescended to employ other
means and other helps for our conviction, we can conceive no other so
intelligible to human reason, as that this great truth should be proclaimed
by the wonders of creation. These instruments of “ spiritual
verities,” as they have prophetically been termed-)-, surround us on
every side ;—they are within our grasp—they speak to our perceptions.
Let us not then believe, that the power of discerning such spiritual
truths by these their material symbols has been withheld from us,
even in this our fallen state. Let us rather, with humble thankfulness,
adore that G o d , who, to increase our faith in his word,
enables us to discern, however dimly, in earthly things, the shadows
of such as are heavenly. Sw.
Tittenhanger Green, St. Alban's,
July, 1831.
* Kirby, Int. to Ent., iv. 402.
,+ The most natural and consistent interpretation of 1 Cor.xiii. 12. BXeiropev yap aprt Jt’ eaojnpov
ev ainy/uLTi, is, that “ we see now as it were in a mirror the glory of God reflected enigmatically by
the things that he has made”—Kirby, Int. to Ent., p. 402, note.
P R E F A C E ,
BY
Mr. SWAINSON.
That the principles of natural arrangement explained and developed
in this volume may not be blended with extraneous topics, I shall now
advert to such others as seem to require notice.
In the first place, I feel that some apology is due both to His
Majesty’s Government and to the Public at large, for the tardiness
with which this Volume has followed the first. Whatever blame may
be attached to this delay, must fall exclusively upon myself, as Dr.
Richardson’s portion has long been prepared. But my desire repeatedly
to revise the groups, and submit their contents to many and
diversified tests, not even alluded to in the subsequent details, has
occupied no inconsiderable portion of two years; while impaired health,
and the necessity of prosecuting literary engagements previously made,
have all contributed to retard the publication.
As I have found it necessary, in the body of the work, to introduce
many new groups, and allude to others defined in the Appendix,
it seems necessary to explain the views that have regulated this proceeding.
It has been urged, in defence of modern genera, that, even in a
system confessedly artificial, they are of great use, both in assisting
the discrimination of forms, and abridging the labour of the student
in his search after species. Granted. But this principle, like every
other, may be carried too far. The authors and advocates of artificial
systems, having no definite or acknowledged rule to regulate their
groups, are at full liberty to make as many genera or sub-genera as
they please; and so long as these divisions are capable of clear and
h