926 The American Naturalist. [November, 
Our much esteemed contemporary, Natural Science, had, in a recent 
number, three short articles devoted to the denunciation of the describ- 
ing of species in biology; calling the practice in one of them “a most 
unprofitable” kind of work. Now comes our equally esteemed col- 
league, The Revue Scientifique (1896, p. 440), and remarks as follows, 
anent of the recent work of Messrs. C. H. Merriam and E.S. Miller on 
North American Mammalia: “ But really is there not more interest- 
ing work to be done on the fauna of the United States? This work, 
which consists in enumerating and describing species, which is within 
reach of the most mediocre intelligence, this fastidious care which 
should be left to those who are not capable of ideas, is this the only 
work which tempts American Zoologists? Is there not other occupa- 
tion for their scientific activity ? Cannot Mr. Hart Merriam stimulate 
work of a biologic character?’ 
We regard the expressions above quoted as an indication of a mild 
form of megalomania which is not unfrequently found among the users 
of mechanical appliances in the biological laboratory. The most 
intelligent cultivators of these important branches of biologic research 
are, however, well aware that the exact determination of species is fully 
equal in importance to their own pursuit, for the following reasons, 
among others. If we regard biology to consist of two branches, evolu- 
tion and physiology, we define evolution, with Darwin, as the origin of 
species. For physiology the question of species is not so important. 
Species are, however, what the labors of the ages have produced, and 
it is we ve know Mem -= re to pursue any branch of evolu- 
tion (as emb tly. The work of the em- 
bryologist and palenusiahighet who does not know the species whose ori- 
gin he seeks to explain is greatly lacking in precision. Linnæus states 
that the tyro knows the higher divisions, but only the expert knows spec- 
ies. We also especially deny that the discrimination and description of 
species is within reach of the most mediocre intelligence. On the con- 
trary, no kind of work in biology imposes as much on all the mental fac- 
ulties which are used in scientific work. Those who have not attempted it 
have little idea wass is involved in a Sage or an analytical key. 
Finally, logic work of Messrs. Merriam and Miller, 
we consider it of the utmost importance. They are pointing out the re- 
sults of the evolution of Mammalian life in North America, which it 
isthe business of the embryologist and the paleontologist to explain. 
And in this field the work of Messrs. Merriam and Miller is the best that 
has ever been done in any country. 
