| → species, with 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
| the species, with the 1869 1872 |
|
| → varieties; and with our domestic productions, 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
| the varieties; and in some cases, as with domestic pigeons, 1869 |
| the varieties; and in some cases, as with the domestic pigeon, with 1872 |
|
| → in classifying varieties, as with 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
| as in classifying 1869 1872 |
|
| → sub-varieties differ from the others 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
| of the sub-varieties differ 1869 1872 |
|
|
it would connect together all languages, extinct and
by the closest affinities, and would give the filiation and origin of each tongue. |
|
| In confirmation of this view, let us glance at the classification of varieties, which are
or
to
descended from
species. These are grouped under
→species, with
sub-varieties under
→varieties; and with our domestic productions,
several other grades of
The origin of the existence of groups subordinate to
is the same with varieties as with species, namely, closeness of descent with various degrees of modification. Nearly the same rules are followed
→in classifying varieties, as with
species. Authors have insisted on the necessity of
varieties on a natural instead of an artificial system; we are cautioned, for instance, not to class two varieties of the pine-apple together, merely because their fruit, though the most important part, happens to be nearly identical; no one puts the
and common
together, though the esculent and thickened stems are so similar. Whatever part is found to be most constant, is used in classing varieties: thus the great agriculturist Marshall says the horns are very useful for this purpose with cattle, because they are less variable than the shape or colour of the body, &c.; whereas with sheep the horns are much less serviceable, because less constant. In classing
I apprehend
we had a real pedigree, a genealogical classification would be universally
and it has been attempted
some
For we might feel sure, whether there had been more or less modification,
principle of inheritance would keep the forms together which were allied in the greatest number of points. In tumbler pigeons, though some
→sub-varieties differ from the others
|
