THE PRINCIPLES OF TAXONOMY \4J 



So far as in us lies, we will not leave out any of them, be it ever so mean; for though 

 there are animals that have no attractiveness for the senses, yet for the eye of science, for 

 the student who is naturally of a philosophic spirit and can discern the causes of things, 

 Nature which fashioned them provides joys that cannot be measured. If we study mere 

 likenesses of these things and take pleasure in so doing, because then we are contemplat- 

 ing the painter's or the carver's Art that fashioned them, and yet fail to delight much 

 more in studying the works of nature themselves, though we have the ability to discern 

 the actual causes— that would be a strange absurdity indeed. Wherefore we must not 

 betake ourselves to the consideration of the meaner animals with a bad grace, as though 

 we were children; since in all natural things there is somewhat the marvelous. 



Questions 



1 . List the grouping levels used in taxonomy between the species and the kingdom. 



2. Give six of the international rules of nomenclature. 



3. What did Ray and Linnaeus contribute to taxonomy? 



4. What is a species? 



5. What is taxonomy? What does it offer to zoology? 



Supplementary Reading 



Chapter 28 (What's in a Name?) of The Growth of Scientific Ideas by Wightraan 

 presents an excellent and readable account of the growth of taxonomy. The lives of early 

 taxonomists and naturalists are presented in a romantic and informative style by Peattie 

 in Green Laurels. Critica Botanica by Linnaeus includes a thorough discussion of the 

 principles and methods of classification, revealing both the humor and the incisiveness of 

 the author. 



