XX 11 
INTRODUCTION 
the extremes, then the specimens all belong to the same species. Thus, in passing from New York 
to Ohio, specimens of the Gray Squirrel show all shades of variation, from the typical gray to black; 
but all belong to the same species, called in Latin, Sci-u'rus car-o-li-nen' sis. 
A Species is an assemblage of individual animals which in at least one respect are distinctly 
different from all others, and whose peculiarities are so well marked and so constant that they can 
be distinguished from all others without the aid of locality labels. 
When a new kind of animal is found, adult specimens of which are distinctly different from those 
of all known species, an average specimen is taken as a type, and it is described, and christened 
by its describes Every species should be distinguishable by external characters; and any 
animal which requires to be killed and dissected before it can be named, is of no practical value 
as an independent form. 
To secure recognition among zoologists, it is important that the first description of a new 
species should appear in a regular publication of some scientific society, or in a scientific journal. 
In case the creature has not already been described, and the proposed species has just claims to 
stand alone, this name is entitled to stand, by right of priority, or first christening. 
Many times it happens that through ignorance of what has been done by others, or by errors 
in judgment, a new name is bestowed upon an animal or plant that has already been named. Some- 
times, also, it is found that the name bestowed has already been used for some other animal. A 
name applied to an animal or plant already named is called a syn'o-nym. In scientific books, 
synonyms sometimes are printed in a list under the correct name, followed by the names of their 
respective authors. A zoological synonym always stands for a published error, and scientific authors 
should be chary of describing as “new” any species which are' likely to prove mere synonyms. 
The type of any species is a carefully selected specimen which in size and color may fairly 
be considered the standard, or average, for that species. Among zoologists, this term is apjfiied 
to the identical skin, or other specimen, described by its discoverer. Because of the many scientific 
names that are erroneously bestowed upon animals, the name of the author who is responsible for 
a name is usually printed, in abbreviated form, immediately after the name itself, thus: 
Popular name. Scientific name. Authority. 
Coyote. Canis latrans. Say. 
A parenthesis enclosing a Latin name and the name of its author is a sign that the name has 
been changed somewhat from the form originally chosen and put forth by the author of the species. 
Taken as a whole, this name means (1) that the “popular ’’name of the animal is Coy'ote; (2) 
that its scientific name (Latin) is Canis (=dog) la'trans (=barking); and (3) that it was first cor- 
rectly described and named in print by a man named Say. If we consult our books, we will find 
that Thomas Say was a Philadelphia naturalist, and his description of this animal appeared in 
“Long’s Expedition to the Rocky Mountains,” published in 1823, Yol. I, page 168. 
Whenever the name of an animal has been so long in use that it has become familiar to millions 
of people, any attempt to change it tends to create confusion. A slightly incorrect name in universal 
use is often better than the confusion and doubt inseparable from attempting a change. Thus, 
the American buffalo, considered in connection with the world’s bovine animals generally, is really 
a bison; and the prairie-" dog ” is really a prairie marmot; but since nearly all the inhabitants of 
America know these animals by their incorrect names, and any effort to force a universal change 
v/ould be quite fruitless, it would be unwise to attempt it. 
It is very important to the student that the names of the various Orders of vertebrate animals 
should be learned and remembered; for they are the keys with which to unlock and reveal all 
systematic knowledge of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. 
THE INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS: A WARNING 
During the past two years, so many persons have requested my views regarding the mental 
capacity of animals, that I feel impelled to enter here a brief statement, coupled with a warning. 
Unfortunately, it cannot be written otherwise than in the first person. 
