LINNZUS NOMENCLATURE. AI 
It consists in this, that every species of animal and plant is 
designated by two names, which stand to each other in the 
same relation as do the christian and surnames of a man. 
The special name which corresponds with the christian 
name, and expresses the idea of “a species,” serves as the 
common designation of all individual animals or plants, 
which are equal in all essential matters of form, and are 
only distinguished by quite subordinate features. The more 
general name, on the other hand, corresponding with the 
surname, and which expresses the idea of a genus, serves for 
the common designation of all the most nearly similar kinds 
or species. 
According to Linnzeus’ plan, the more general and compre- 
hensive generic name is written first; the special subor- 
dinate name of the species follows it. Thus, for example, 
the common cat is called Felis domestica; the wild cat, 
Felis catus ; the panther, Felis pardus ; the jaguar, Felis onca ; 
the tiger, Felis tigris; the lion, Felis leo. All these six kinds 
of animals of prey are different species of one and the 
same genus—Felis. Or, to add an example from the vege- 
table kingdom, according to Linnzeus’ designation the pine 
is Pinus abies; the fir, Pinus picea; the larch, Pinus larix ; 
the Italian pine, Pinus pinea; the Siberian stone pine, Pinus 
cembra; the knee timber, Pinus mughus ; the common pine, 
Pinus silvestris. All these seven kinds of pines are different 
species of one and the same genus—Pinus. 
Perhaps this advance made by Linnzeus may seem to some 
only of subordinate importance in the practical distinction 
and designation of the variously formed organisms. But in 
reality it was of the very greatest importance, both from a 
practical and theoretical point of view. For now, for the 
