THE CLASSIFICATION OP ANIMALS 25 



fication of animals is a most fascinating study and one 

 that trains the mind, develops the powers of observation 

 and discrimination, and strengthens the judgment. 



If we were to attempt to classify animals according to 

 color, we should have some buffaloes, some cats, some 

 monkeys, and some birds in one group. Plainly this would 

 be a poor classification and of no use. The groups into 

 which animals are gathered are based upon permanent 

 anatomical structures or fixed characters rather than upon 

 superficial resemblances. These groups are of different 

 rank and vary greatly in size, for the groups of high rank 

 contain or include many more animals than those of low 

 rank. 



Species. — The smallest and lowest group which is usually 

 taken into consideration is that known as species. For 

 example, we know that all of the common house cats 

 have claws alike, possess the same kind of eyes, make a 

 similar purring noise, and are of about the same size when 

 full grown. Consequently, we consider them the same 

 kind, or species of animals. Moreover, all house cats, of 

 whatever size or color, belong to the same species. Fur- 

 thermore, we know that kittens will grow and become hke 

 their parents. Therefore, we may, in general, consider a 

 species as a collection of animals, the individuals of which 

 possess several similar, fixed, and permanent characters 

 and the offspring of which possess the same unchanging 

 characteristics. 



Genus. — If a cat be compared with a tiger, many points 

 of resemblance between the two animals will be noted. 

 Both have long, slender, agile bodies, the same noiseless 

 tread, much the same kind of mouth with long bristles on 

 each side of the upper lip, and similar eyes. On the other 



