6 THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 



A little study of ihe matter, however, is sufficient to show the 

 necessity for scientific names. The common names of animals will 

 not answer our purpose ; for the same name is often applied to widely 

 different animals in different localities, while a single species of animal 

 is known by totally different names in different sections of the country. 



In order that information respecting animals may be recorded so 

 that there need not be any doubt regarding the animal to which refer- 

 ence is made, it is necessary that each species or group of species 

 should have a distinct name by which it shall be known by naturalists 

 in all parts of the world. Therefore, to each branch, class, order, 

 family, genus, and species which has been described there has been 

 given a special name, by which it is known, and which pertains to this 

 group alone. 



As this nomenclature is used by all naturalists of whatever nation- 

 ality, it is necessary that the names should be in a language which 

 can be understood by all. As Latin was the language in which most 

 scientific books were written at the time this nomenclature was estab- 

 lished, that language was chosen as the universal language of science; 

 and the rule has been adopted that all names of animals and plants 

 shall be Latin, or Latin in form. 



The name of a species consists of two words — the name of the 

 genus to which the species belongs, followed by an adjective indicat- 

 ing the particular species ; for in Latin an adjective follows the noun 

 which it qualifies, instead of preceding it as in English. Thus the 

 scientific name of the Pigeon-hawk is Falco coliimbarms; that of the 

 Sparrow-hawk is Falco sparveriiis ; and that of the Prairie-falcon is 

 Falco inexica7itis. 



In the case of many species we find well-marked subspecies or 

 geographical races which it is desirable to distinguish by name. Thus 

 the Pigeon-hawk occurs over the whole of North America. But we 

 California to Sitka, constitute a distinct geographical race known as 

 the Black Merlin. As the Black Merlin and the typical Pigeon-hawk 

 intergrade, they constitute a single species, which is known as Falco 

 columbarius. To the Black Merlin has been applied the subspecific 

 name siickleyi. When, therefore, it is desired to refer to the Black 

 Merlin as distinguished from the typical Pigeon-hawk the term 

 Falco columbarius suckleyi is used. If reference is to be made to the 

 typical Pigeon-hawk as distinguished from the Black Merlin, it is 

 designated as Falco columbarius columbarius. 

 y In writing long names like those given above they are frequently 



