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THE WORLD OF LIFE 



CHAP. V 



Lydekker that he considers the Mammalia to be much 

 exaggerated by writers who reckon slight local forms or 

 varieties as distinct species. Thus 8 species have been 

 made of the common brown bear, and 16 species of 

 various local forms of mouse -deer (Tragulus). On the 

 other hand, although the number of insects here given seems 

 enormous, Mr. D. Sharp, a very experienced entomologist, 

 thinks that the number actually existing is five times as 

 great that is, more than two million distinct species ! 



AN ESTIMATE OF THE DESCRIBED SPECIES OF LIVING ANIMALS. 

 By A. E. SHIPLEY, F.R.S. (B. Assn. Address, 1909) 



