52 ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



him to branch out for himself in some line of natural history. His students 

 became scattered throughout the world. 



Up to the last, and as much as his failing health would allow, Linnaeus 

 kept up a lively and progressive interest in his science. 



Finally, tired of life, and forgetful of all honors which had been so keen a 

 delight to him, he passed beyond peacefully on the 10th of January, 1778. 



His works and his name live forever. 



At the conclusion of Dr. Morris's address a musical selection was 

 rendered by the Glee Club of the United Swedish Societies, after which the 

 following address was delivered. 



LINN.EUS AND AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY. 



By Frederic A. Lucas. 



I presume that the question first in the minds of many present is, Why 

 have we met this evening? why should we celebrate the two hundredth 

 birthday of Linnseus? 



In a general way, Linnseus may be said to have systematized the study 

 of natural history, and arranged its known facts in an orderly manner; but 

 his special claim to our gratitude is the invention or perfection of what is 

 called the "binomial system" of nomenclature, that is, the use of the double 

 name for each species of plant or animal. This may seem a small matter. 

 In fact, those who ask Why doesn't every animal have a common name ? 

 might think they had reason to feel an}i;hing but grateful ; but it was really 

 one of the greatest advances made in natural history. For in science it is not 

 enough to accumulate facts, they must be set in order, or classified, so as 

 to be available. In fact, Huxley termed science "classified knovdedge." 

 Before the day of Linnseus, animals were mainly known by their descriptions 

 or their vernacular name. The lion, for instance, would be called the 

 "great tan-colored cat with a mane;" and, in order to indicate what species 

 were related, it would be necessary to specify them each and all. 



As the rising tide of commerce of the eighteenth century brought to 

 Europe scores of animals previously unknown, the number of recognized 

 species increased so rapidly that it promised to be a difficult matter to keep 

 track of them. It was at this time that Linnseus devised the plan of apply- 

 ing to each animal a general or generic name which should indicate the 

 immediate group to which the animal belonged, and a special or specific 



