98 



On the Classification of Animals 



Again, in the class of Insecteans, the distinction between the 

 1st and 2d orders, or Insects and Spiders, depends on case [a) 

 under the retroferent method (p. 83) ; and, in connection, there is 

 an exhibition of an incipient stage of the analytic^ the head and 

 thorax in Spiders constituting a single mass (p. 86). 



Under Insects, the difference between the two highest divisions, 

 Prosthenics and Metasthe7iics^ depends on case (b) under the retro- 

 ferent method, or a transfer of the flying function mainly or w^holly 

 to the posterior pair of wings. And the third is a degradational 

 group, in which, by the amplifcative, analytic, and elliptic methods, 

 the species (Lepismse, &c.) are wingless and larve-like. 



Among Herbivores, the Elephant shows superiority (1) in 

 having, as in Carnivores, the teeth (its tusks) for defensive weapons ; 

 (2) in having, as in Carnivores, the pov^er of prehension, a quality, 

 however, transferred from the teeth to one of the organs of sense, 

 the nose ; this organ of prehension also aids in defence ; (3) in 

 having the normal number of toes ; (4) in having pectoral mammae, 

 as in the highest Megasthenes or Quadrumanes, the highest 

 Microsthencs or Bats, and also in Man. The great size is not a 

 mark of overgrowth and inferiority, for the animal is neither stupid 

 nor sluggish. The Ruminants are inferior to the Elephant in 

 having, not an inferior organ of sense, but the forehead, or typi- 

 cally the most important part of the head, perverted to use for 

 self-defence ; and also in other ways. Among Ruminants, the 

 Stag or Elk-type shows superiority to the Ox-type, in (1) its more 

 compact and smaller head ; (2) its less magnitude posteriorly ; (3) 

 its limbs adapted to fleet motion ; (4) its fore-limbs adapted for 

 climbing and clinging, giving them a special prosthenic character 

 and great superiority to those of the Ox. The Horse-type shows 

 inferiority to the Elephant- type, in (1) its long head and neck 

 (amplificate) ; (2) its one-hoofed foot ; (3) its being metasthenic, 

 the hind legs serving as the principal organs of defence ; and also 

 in the characters mentioned above. 



The discussion of the subject of classification farther on, will be 

 found to be a continued exemplification of the laws of cephaliza- 

 tion, and we refer to it for additional elucidation. 



3. The forms, resulting from the expression of the same law of 

 cephalization in diverse groups, often similar ; and hence come some 

 of the analogies between gronps^ or their osculations. — It is appa- 

 rent that the grades of cephalization may have expression in any 

 division of the animal kingdom, and that hence may come parallel 

 results as to form. For example, there may be cases of cunplifica- 

 tive decenhalization — or of long-bodied or long-legged species — 

 in the different orders or tribes of Insects ; and, when so, the 

 species, in these different groups thus characterized, will be, in a 

 sense, representatives of one another,and the groups will "osculate" 



