192 THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



each well-established mutation, and these names 

 from being multiplied as often as may be necessary 

 to designate the successive stages of the evolution of 

 the same branch. As to the phyletic branches them- 

 selves, which in no way correspond to the conception 

 of genus in existing nature, it would be very simple 

 to apply to them the name of branch, or, optionally, 

 of phylum, which has already been employed by 

 the German palaeontologists, and which would 

 more easily receive international acceptance. I 

 am convinced that palseontological researches 

 would gain much in clearness and in precision by 

 the use of this simple reform of nomenclature. 



