among metaphysicians and logicians, denotes a number of beings, which agree in certain general properties common to them all; so that a genus is nothing else but an abstract idea, expressed by some general name or term.

It is plain, therefore, that by a genus we do not barely signify one particular thing, nor yet a plurality of things; but a sort or kind of things, all agreeing in certain general properties.

Thus animal is said to be a genus in respect of man and brute, in regard man and brute agree in the common nature and character of animal: so a right-lined figure of four sides, is a genus in respect of a parallelogram, and a trapezium; and so likewise is substance, in respect of substance extended which is body, and thinking substance which is mind.

Genus is also used for a character or manner applicable to every thing of a certain nature or condition: in which sense it serves to make capital divisions in divers sciences, as rhetoric, anatomy, and natural history.

rhetoric. Authors distinguish the art of rhetoric, as also orations or discourses produced thereby, into three genera or kinds, demonstrative, deliberative, and judiciary.

To the demonstrative kind belong panegyrics, genethliacons, epithalamiums, funeral harangues, &c.

To the deliberative kind belong persuasions, diffusions, commendations, &c. To the judiciary kind belong defences and accusations.

natural history, a sub-division of any class or order of natural beings, whether of the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdoms, all agreeing in certain common characters. See Natural History.