232 



COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 



prevailing characters which are the most constant.™ And 

 such a classification cannot be linear. It is impossible to 

 arrange all animal forms from the Sponge to Man in a 

 single line, like the steps of a ladder, according to rank. 

 Nature passes in so many ways from one type to another, 

 and so multiplied are the relations between animals, that 

 one series is out of the question. There is a number of 

 series, and series within series, sometimes proceeding in 

 parallel lines, but more often divergent. The animals ar- 

 range themselves in radiating groups, each group being 

 connected, not with two groups merely, one above and the 

 other below, but with several. Life has been likened to a 

 great tree with countless branches spreading widely from 

 a common trunk, and deriving their origin from a com- 

 mon root; branches bearing all manner of flowers, every 

 fashion of leaves, and all kinds of fruit, and these for 

 every use. 



The groups into which we are able to cast the various 

 forms of animal development are very unequal and dis- 

 similar. We must remember that a genus, order, or class 

 is not of equal value throughout the kingdom. Moreover, 

 each division is allied to others in different degrees — the 

 distance between any two being the measure of that affin- 

 ity. The lines between some are sharp and clear, between 

 others indefinite. Like the islands of an archipelago, some 

 groups merge into one another through connecting reefs, 

 others are sharply separated by unfathomable seas, yet all 

 have one common basis. Links have been found reveal- 

 ing a relationship, near or distant, even between animals 

 whose forms are very unlike. There are Fishes (Dipnoi) 

 with some Amphibian characters, and fish-like Amphibi- 

 ans (Axolott). The Ichthyosaurus is a Lizard with fish- 

 characteristics. Birds seem isolated, but they are closely 

 connected with Reptiles by fossil forms. Even the great 

 gap in the Animal Kingdom — that separating Vertebrates 



