CHAPTER II. 



THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE ORGANIC WORLD. 

 The Existence and Significance of a Classification. 



A CERTAIN writer who disbelieved in the theory 

 of evolution once asked Prof. Huxley where he 

 could find the strongest arguments in its favor, 

 which he acknowledged he desired for the sake of 

 publicly refuting them. Prof. Huxley advised him 

 to take a course of study in comparative anatomy. 

 The man was naturally somewhat angry at this 

 unexpected piece of advice and of course did not 

 follow it. But Prof. Huxley knew whereof he was 

 speaking, and his advice was full of wisdom which 

 no one can appreciate who has not gained experi- 

 ence by following it, and making a careful study of 

 the animal kingdom. The strongest arguments 

 which are found in favor of the theory of descent, 

 and frequently too, many of the most significant 

 difficulties, come from the innumerable little points 

 which familiarity with animals brings under one's 

 observation ; too many to introduce into any discus- 

 sion for the sake of argument, too minute, most of 

 them, to seem worth publication, but all together 

 forming a complete whole whose weight is very 

 great. 



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