INTRODUCTION. 77 
possessing the same characters, are identical. We view 
this to be a more rational course than to consider them 
to be the analogues of each other, a convenient but 
indefinite mode of expression, which may be used to 
cover every degree of similitude from a general analogy 
to a close affinity hardly admitting of distinction. 
Closely connected with this subject is that of a pro- 
per selection of specific terms for new objects ; for next 
in importance to a good description and figure, is an 
appropriate and characteristic name. The use of spe- 
cific names was adopted as a substitute for the charac- 
teristic phrase, consisting often of many words, which, 
before the time of Linnreus, naturalists were obliged 
to cite whenever they alluded to a species. As one 
word thus took the place of an entire sentence, it was 
desirable to select one that expressed some prominent 
trait of the object named, and, if possible, that trait 
by which it was distinguished from all others of the 
same genus. Such a word aids the memory by re- 
calling the characters of the species, and being in the 
Latin language, conveys its meaning in every coun- 
try where that language is understood. This practice, 
so obviously consistent with good taste, good sense, 
and utility, was received with general approbation, 
and almost immediately adopted among the rules of 
nomenclature. In process of time, however, innova- 
tion commenced, and distinguished naturalists were oc- 
casionally complimented by the attachment of their names 
to particular species. There seemed at first to be no 
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