THE DISAPPEARING ISLAND. 



159 



This simplifies matters, you see, as this language 

 is known everywhere." 



" I see," said Tom, " and I don't believe my 

 system of classification would do." 



" What is it ? " asked his father, laughing. 



" Why, I should put all the long-nosed fishes 

 together, as an example." 



Sword-fish and saw-fish. 



" You would have a strange mixture," replied 

 the doctor. 



" Why," continued Tom, " there is the sword- 

 fish, saw-fish, bill and trumpet fish, snipe-fish, 

 spoon-bill sturgeon, and narwhal." 



" But the narwhal is not a fish," rejoined the 

 doctor. " See what a confused arrangement you 

 would have. Now, what are called pouched 

 animals you would think would be all alike ; 



