CHAPTER VII 



THE SORTING OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



Questions. 1. What is the use of classifying plants and animals ? 

 2. Why is it not sufficient to classify plants by size — herbs, shrubs, and 

 trees ? 3. Why is it necessary to have so many main divisions ? 4. Why 

 do we use Latin names for plants and animals ? 5. Why are not single 

 names sufficient ? 6. What is the easiest way of finding out the name of 

 a new plant or animal ? 7. Who makes up the scientific names of plants 

 and animals ? 8. Is it necessary for everybody to know the scientific 

 names ? 9. Is it necessary for anybody to know the scientific names ? 



62. Scientific classification. Many people derive satisfaction 

 from collecting and sorting various classes of objects. Classi- 

 fication is of value because it helps in the work of reference. 

 Just as classification of books in the library makes it possible 

 to find a particular book, or a particular kind of book, with the 

 least effort, so classifying plants and animals furnishes a con- 

 venient scheme for placing each specimen where it belongs. 



If we sorted our books according to size, or according to color of 

 binding, we should often bring two books on radio together; but we 

 should be just as likely to bring together a book on radio and one on 

 cooking, and we should be sure to separate books that really belong to- 

 gether. Every scheme for sorting plants and animals must provide a 

 way of bringing together plants or animals that are truly related, and it 

 must at the same time keep separated plants and animals that are not re- 

 lated, even though they have superficial resemblances. 



The structure of organisms furnishes the basis for modern 

 classifications, but the term structure has a wide significance. 

 According to outward appearance we might place certain small 

 snakes with certain large worms, but a study of the internal 

 structure at once separates them very widely. Again, the ap- 



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