The Elements of Mammalogy

Description

MAMMALOGY:



THE



NATURAL HISTORY OF MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS.



LESSON I.



CLASSIFICATION OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM Comparison of Ani- mals Their division into four BRANCHES Characters of each of these Branches Division of the VERTEBRATA into four Classes.

OF CLASSIFICATION IN GENERAL.



As we have seen, when considering the subject of “Physiology and Animal Mechanism,” The Natural History of Animals is termed Zoology.

For the convenience of study, Zoology has been divided into several branches, the highest of which is termed Mammalogy. This embraces the study of the Natural History of all Mam- imiferous Animals, man included, and is to engage our attention at present.



1. The number of different animals inhabiting the surface of the globe, is so great, that in order to study them with ease, it is necessary to establish amongst them, divisions, and sub-divisions. Each of the groups thus formed should be characterised in such a manner as to enable us always to recognise, with certainty, the individuals which belong to it, and the group should be designated by a particular name.

The assemblage of these divisions and sub-divisions constitutes what is termed a CLASSIFICATION.

2. In the classification of animals, the name Species is applied to an assemblage of individuals which bear a strong resemblance to each other, and which are perpetuated with the same essential qualities. Thus, man, the dog, the horse constitute, to the eye of the zoologist, so many distinct species.


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