Note 46 — § 4. Conclusion.
Reading edition
Reply to the above in ‘The Times’ of May 2nd, 1866, and in both editions (1861, 1862) of my ‘Discourse on the Extent and Aims of a National Museum of Natural History.’ “Some naturalists urge that it is only necessary to exhibit the type-form of each genus or family. But they do not tell us what is such ‘type-form.’ It is a metaphysical term, which implies that the Creative Force had a guiding pattern for the construction of all the varying or divergent forms in each genus or family. The idea is devoid of proof; and those who are loudest in advocating the restriction of exhibited specimens to ‘types’ have contributed least to lighten the difficulties of the practical curator in making the selection.” (Ed. 1862, p. 24; see also pp. 26–34.)