TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION. 75 



Botany in France, in connection with what is called the 

 natural system of classification. To prevent confusion, 

 the similarity of form determining families should be 

 based on structure and not mere resemblance. 



A Genus is a group of species having the same essen- 

 tial structure. Thus the allied species, Cat, Tiger, and 

 Lion, belong to one genus. 



A Species is the smallest group of individuals which 

 can be defined by several constant characteristics. They 

 are so alike that it is possible for them to have descended 

 from one pair. A cross between two species, as the 

 Horse and Ass, is called a hybrid ; as the Mule. 



Individuals are the units of organic life. A complete 

 animate existence is an individual, whether separate, as 

 man, or living in a community, as the Coral. When two 

 or more individuals differ by a single peculiarity, such 

 as color, or outline, or size, one is called a variety of the 

 other, as the races of Men and breeds of Cattle. A cross 

 between distinct races is called mongrel. 



Vegetables and animals are separated from each other 

 under the term kingdom, and the types of structure in 

 each kingdom are called sub-kingdoms. Thus in-the ani- 

 mal kingdom we have the sub-kingdoms of Vertebrates, 

 Radiates, etc. 



There are no such things as genus, species, order, class 

 etc. They are but abstract terms, expressing relation to 

 a plan, or the harmony of intelligent design which pre- 

 sides over all things. 



5. A real type, or plan, includes all those individuals, 

 species, etc., which are similar in character. But it is 

 not always easy to determine similarity of character. 



