Vol. XXI 

 1904 



J DwiGHT, Exallatio>i of the Subspecies. ^C 



due'to numerous and complex causes, depends, in a large degree, 

 upon man's natural and proper desire to bestow names upon the 

 objects about him. Unfortunately the giving of a name, be it 

 ever so scientific, is hedged in by no prerequisites of scientific 

 training, and many have been the blunders committed through 

 ignorance and haste. We are, after all, only human, but one of 

 the greatest misfortunes that can befall is when a dim conception 

 of evolution leads us to confuse plasticity of a form to its environ- 

 ment with plasticity in our own brain. We must beware lest we 

 name that which exists only in our expectant mind. A subspecies 

 potential is a fact, a subspecies named, an opinion, for in giving a 

 name we express an opinion which may or may not fit the fact. 

 As a working hypothesis, it is convenient to consider the sub- 

 species as an incipient species, but to name every degree of 

 incipiency is pushing matters to a point where the name, by over- 

 shadowing the fact, ceases to be the convenient handle for which 

 it is primarily intended. The tail begins to wag the dog, and, in 

 the eyes of some, it really seems to be more important than the 

 dog. 



Another, but less potent cause for the rise of the subspecies is 

 found in the unnecessary prominence accorded it in our books and 

 other publications. Wherever we turn we find it, to all appear- 

 ances, on equal terms with the full species. It is clothed in the 

 same type, while descriptions, measurements, synonymy and other 

 matters are displayed independently as if every name were of 

 equal value. No wonder the impression is created that the sub- 

 species is quite as important as the species and deserving of the 

 same treatment. We forget that, as names multiply, they lose in 

 definiteness of meaning, and that the standard by which races are 

 measured falls in direct proportion to the number of names 

 resulting from new campaigns over old ground. Ornithology, in 

 North America at least, is suffering from too many campaigns. 



But, the mind of the young ornithologist is strongly injiuenced 

 by what his elders do, and if they make much of the subspecies 

 he is likely to do the same. Hence, if we expend so much effort 

 in seeking new lines of geographical cleavage, it is not inconceiv- 

 able that our successors may reduce our splinters to sawdust and 

 bestow a name upon each and every grain. It is to be hoped. 



