ZON Zoology
Mammalia. That part of Natural History which relates to Animals.
In order to abridge the study of zoology, many methods of reducing animals to classes, genera, and species, have been invented; but as that of Linnaeus is undoubtedly the best, the most extensive, and the most generally adopted, we shall give a brief account of it.
Linnaeus divides the whole animal kingdom into six classes. The characters of these six classes are taken from the internal structure of animals, in the following manner:
Class I. MAMMALIA, includes all animals that suckle their young. The characters of this class are these:—The heart has two ventricles and two auricles; the blood is red and warm; and the animals belonging to it are viviparous.
Class II. AVES, or Birds. The characters are the same with those of Class I., excepting that the animals belonging to it are oviparous. See Bird, and Ornithology.
Class III. AMPHIBIA, or Amphibious Animals. The heart has but one ventricle and one auricle; the blood is red and cold; and the animals belonging to this class have the command of their lungs, so that the intervals between inspiration and expiration are in some measure voluntary. See Amphibious.
Class IV. PISCES, or Fishes. The heart has the same structure, and the blood the same qualities, with those of the Amphibia; but the animals belonging to this class are easily distinguished from the Amphibia, by having no such voluntary command of their lungs, and by having external branchiae or gills. See Fish, and Ichthyology.
Class V. INSECTA, or Insects. The heart has one ventricle, but no auricle; the blood is cold and white; and the animals are furnished with antennae or feelers. See Insect.
Class VI. VERMES, or Worms. The characters are the same with those of Class V., only the animals have no antennae, and are furnished with tentacula.
The First Class, MAMMALIA, is subdivided into seven Orders; the characters of which are taken from the number, structure, and situation of the Teeth.
Order I. The Primates have four incisors, or fore-teeth, in each jaw, and one dog-tooth. N.B. By one dog-tooth, Linnaeus means one on each side of the fore-teeth in both jaws.—This order includes four genera, viz. Homo, Simia, Lemur, Vespertilio.
Order II. The Bruta have no fore-teeth in either jaw. This order includes seven genera, viz. Rhinoceros, Elephas, Trichechus, Bradypus, Myrmecophaga, Manis, Dalypus.
Order III. The Feræ have, for the most part, six conical fore-teeth in each jaw. This order includes ten genera, viz. Phoca, Canis, Felis, Viverra, Mustela, Ursus, Didelphis, Talpa, Sorex, Erinaceus.
Order IV. The Glires have two fore-teeth in each jaw, and no dog-teeth.—This order includes ten genera, viz. Hyrax, Lepus, Cator, Mus, Sciurus, Myoxus, Cavia, Arotomys, Dypus, Hyrax.
Order V. The Pecora, have no fore-teeth in the upper jaw, but 6 or 8 in the under-jaw.—This order includes eight genera, viz. Camelus, Moschus, Giraffa, Cervus, Antelope, Capra, Ovis, Bos.
Order VI. The Belluae, have obtuse fore-teeth in each jaw.—This order includes four genera, viz. Equus Hippopotamus, Sus, Tapir.
Order VII. The Cete, or whale kind, have no uniform character in their teeth, being very different in the different genera; but are sufficiently distinguished from the other orders of Mammalia, by living in the ocean, having pectoral fins, and a finula or spiraculum upon the head.—This order includes four genera, viz. Monodon, Baleena, Physeter, Delphinus. See Cetaceous.
The generic characters of the Mammalia are, like those of the orders, almost entirely taken from the Teeth, excepting the Vespertilio, which, besides the character of the order derived from the teeth, has this farther mark, that there is a membrane attached to the feet and sides, by means of which the creature is enabled to fly:—the Hyrax, whose body is covered with sharp spines:—and the whole order of Pecora, whose genera, besides the characters taken from the teeth, are distinguished into those which have horns, those which have no horns, and by peculiarities in the horns themselves.
The specific characters are very various, being taken from any part of the body which possesses a peculiar uniform mark of distinction. As examples of these characters are to be found under the proper name of each genus, it is unnecessary to say anything further concerning them in this place.
The Second Class, AVES, is subdivided into five Orders; the characters of which are taken chiefly from the structure of the bill.
Order I. The Accipitres, have a hooked bill, the superior mandible, near the base, being extended on each side beyond the inferior; and in some it is armed... armed with teeth.—This order includes four species, viz. Vultur, Falco, Strix, Lanius.
ORDER II. The Picæ, have a convex, compressed bill, resembling a knife.—This order contains 23 genera, viz. Tiochilus, Certhia, Upupa, Glanopsis, Buphaga, Sitta, Oriolus, Coracias, Gracula, Corvus, Paradisea, Ramphastos, Trogon, Piftacuss, Crotophaena, Picus, Yuan, Cuculus, Bucco, Boceros, Alcedo, Merops, Todua.
ORDER III. The Anseres, have a smooth bill, broadest at the point, covered with a smooth skin, and furnished with teeth: The tongue is fleshy; and the toes are palmed or webbed.—This order includes 13 genera, viz. Anas, Mergus, Phacton, Plotus, Rhyncops, Diomedea, Aptenodyta, Alca, Procellaria, Pelecanus, Larus, Sterna, Columbus.
ORDER IV. The Grallæ, have a somewhat cylindrical bill: The tail is short, and the thighs are naked.—This order contains 20 genera, viz. Phoenicopterus, Platatea, Palamedea, Mycteria, Tantalus, Ardea, Corvira, Recurvirostra, Scolopax, Tringa, Fulica, Parra, Rallus, Vaginalis, Plophia, Camcroma, Scopus, Glareola, Haematopus, Charadrius.
ORDER V. The Gallinæ, have a convex bill; the superior mandible is vaulted over the inferior: The nostrils are half covered with a convex cartilaginous membrane; and the feet are divided, but connected, at the inmost joint.—This order contains 10 genera, viz. Otis, Struthio, Didus, Pavo, Meleagris, Penelope, Cixia, Phasianus, Numida, Tetrao.
ORDER VI. The Passeres, have a conical sharp-pointed bill; and the nostrils are oval, wide, and naked.—This order contains 17 genera, viz. Loxia, Colinus, Fringilla, Phytotoma, Emberiza, Caprimulgus, Hirundo, Pipra, Turdus, Ampelis, Tanagra, Mucicapa, Parus, Motacilla, Alauda, Sturnus, Columba.
The generic characters of this class are taken from peculiarities in the bill, the nostrils, the tongue, the feet, the feathers, the fore, the figure of the body, &c.
The characters which serve to distinguish the species are very various: For example, the colour of the particular feathers or parts of feathers; crests of feathers on the head, disposed in different manners; the colour of the cere or wax; the colour of the feet; the shape and length of the tail; the number, situation, &c. of the toes; the colour and figure of the bill, &c.
The Third Class, AMPHIBIA, is divided into two Orders.
ORDER I. The Reptiles, have four feet, and breath by the mouth.—This order contains four genera, viz. Tefudo, Draco, Lacerta, Rana.
ORDER II. The Serpentes, have no legs, and breath by the mouth.—This order contains six genera, viz. Crotalus, Boa, Coluber, Anguis, Amphibiana, Cecilia.
The generic characters of this class are taken from the general figure of the body; from their having tails or no tails; being covered with a shell; having teeth or no teeth, in the mouth; being furnished with lungs; having covered or naked bodies; from the number, situation, and figure of the scuta and scales; from the number and situation of the spiracula; from the situation of the mouth, &c.
The specific characters are so very various, that it would be superfluous to enumerate them.
The Fourth Class, PISCES, is subdivided into six Orders, the characters of which are taken from the situation of the belly-fins.
ORDER I. The Apodes, have no belly-fins.—This order contains eight genera, viz. Murana, Gymnotus, Trichiurus, Anarchichas, Ammotytes, Ophiidium, Stromateus, Xiphias, Sternoptyx, Leptocephalus.
ORDER II. The Jugulares, have the belly-fins placed before the pectoral fins.—This order includes five genera, viz. Cellionymus, Uranocopus, Trachinus, Gadus, Blennius, Kurtus.
ORDER III. The Thoraci, have the belly-fins placed under the pectoral fins.—This order comprehends 19 genera, viz. Cepola, Echeneis, Coryphaena, Gobius, Cottus, Scorpaena, Zeus, Pleurocentes, Chataodon, Sparus, Scarus, Labrus, Sciama, Perca, Gasterosteus, Scomber, Centrogaster, Mullus, Trigla.
ORDER IV. The Abdominales, have the belly-fins placed behind the pectoral fins.—This order contains 16 genera, viz. Cobitis, Amin, Silurus, Teuthis, Loricaria, Salmo, Fritillaria, Esox, Elops, Argentina, Athina, Mugil, Exocetus, Polynemus, Clupea, Cyprinus.
ORDER V. The Branchiostegi, have the gills defective of bony rays.—This order contains 10 genera, viz. Mormyrus, Ostracion, Tetrodon, Diodon, Synagathus, Pegafus, Centrifons, Balistes, Cyclopterus, Lophius.
ORDER VI. The Chondropterygii, have cartilaginous gills.—This order contains five genera, viz. Acipenser, Chimera, Squalus, Raia, Petromyzon.
The generic characters of this class are taken from peculiarities in the head, the mouth, the teeth, the nostrils, the rays in the membranes of the gills, the eyes, the general figure of the body, the figure of the tail, the situation of the spiracula, &c.
The specific characters are taken from peculiarities in all the parts above enumerated, and many others.
See further the articles Fish and Ichthyology.
The Fifth Class, INSECTA, is subdivided into seven Orders, the characters of which are taken from the wings. See the article Insect.
ORDER I. The Coleoptera, have four wings, the two superior ones being crustaceous, and furnished with a straight future.—This order comprehends 47 genera, viz. Scarabaeus, Lucanus, Dermetes, Melyrus, Byrrhus, Silpha, Tritoma, Hydrophilus, Hisper, Paulus, Botrichus, Anthrenus, Nitidula, Coccinella, Curculio, Brentus, Attelabus, Erodius, Staphylinus, Scurus, Zygia, Meloe, Tenebrio, Cassida, Opatrum, Mordella, Chrysomela, Horia, Apalus, Manticora, Pimelia, Gyrinus, Cucujus, Cryptoccephalus, Bruchus, Pinus, Hipra, Buprelitis, Necydalis, Lampris, Cartharis, Notoxus, Elater, Calopus, Alticus, Carabus, Lytta, Serropalpus, Cerambyx, Lepura, Rhinomacer, Zonitis, Cicindela, Dyticus, Forficula.
ORDER II. The Hemiptera, have four wings, the two superior ones being femoriflavae, and incumbent, i.e. the interior edges lie above one another.—This order includes 14 genera, viz. Blatta, Pneumora, Mantis, Gryllus, Fulgora, Cicada, Notonecta, Nepa, Cinex, Macrocephalus, Aphis, Chermes, Coecus, Thrips. ORDER III. The Lepidoptera, have four wings, all of them imbricated with scales.—This order contains three genera, viz., Papilio, Sphinx, Phalena.
ORDER IV. The Neuroptera, have four wings, interwoven with veins, like a piece of network, and no fling in the anus.—This order includes seven genera, viz., Libella, Ephemera, Hemerobius, Myrmelion, Phryganea, Panorpa, Rophidia.
ORDER V. The Hymenoptera, have the same characters with the former, only the anus is armed with a fling. But this mark is peculiar to the females and neuters; for the males have no fling.—This order comprehends 15 genera, viz., Cynips, Tentredo, Sirex, Ichneumon, Sphex, Scolia, Thynnus, Lencelispis, Tiphia, Chalcis, Chrysis, Veipa, Apis, Formica, Mutila.
ORDER VI. The Diptera, have two wings, and two clavated halters or balances behind each wing.—This order contains 12 genera, viz., Dionys, Tipula, Musca, Tabanus, Empis, Conops, Oestrus, Afilus, Stomoxys, Culex, Bombylius, Hippobosca.
ORDER VII. The Aptera, have no wings.—This order contains 15 species, viz., Leptima, Podura, Termes, Pediculus, Pulex, Acarus, Hydrachna, Araneus, Phalangium, Scorpio, Cancer, Monoculus, Onices, Scolopendra, Julius. See further the articles Entomology and Insect.
The Sixth Class, VERMES, is divided into five Orders.
ORDER I. The Intestina, are the most simple animals, being perfectly naked, and without limbs of any kind.—This order contains 21 genera, viz., Acanthocephalus, Uncinaria, Talitria, Scolex, Ligula, Linguatula, Strongylus, Echinococcus, Eustra, Cucullanus, Caryophyllaeus, Fasciola, Tania, Furia, Myxine, Gordius, Hirudo, Lumbricus, Sipunculus, Planaria.
ORDER II. The Mollusca, are likewise simple na-
ked animals, without any shell; but they are brachi-
ated, or furnished with a kind of limbs.—This order comprehends 31 genera, viz., Actinia, Clava, Mam-
maria, Pedicellaria, Acanthia, Salpa, Doryfia, Pter-
otriches, Limax, Aplysia, Doris, Tethis, Holothu-
ria, Terchella, Triton, Sepia, Clio, Lobaria, Ler-
naza, Scylla, Glaucus, Aphrodita, Amphitrite, Spiro-
neres, Nais, Physophora, Medusa, Lucernaria, Aterias, Echius.
ORDER III. The Testacea, have the same charac-
ters with those of Order II but are covered with
a shell.—This order includes 36 genera, viz., Chiton,
Lepas, Pholas, Mya, Solen, Tellina, Cardium, Mac-
tra, Donax, Venus, Spondylus, Chama, Arc, Ostrea, Anomia, Mytilus, Pinna, Argonauta, Nautilus, Conus, Cypraea, Bulla, Voluta, Buccinum, Strombus, Murex, Trochus, Turbo, Helix, Nerita, Haliotis, Patella, Dentalium, Serpula, Teredo, Sabella.
ORDER IV. The Zoophyta, are compound animals,
furnished with a kind of flowers, and having a vege-
tating root and stem.—This order contains 15 gene-
ra, viz., Tubipora, Madrepora, Miltepora, Cellepo-
ra, Ilias, Antipathes, Gorgonia, Alcyonium, Spon-
gia, Flustra, Tubularia, Corallaria, Bertularia, Pen-
natula, Hydra. See Animal-Flower.
ORDER V. The Infusoria, consists of very small
simple animals.—This order contains 15 genera, viz., Brachionus, Vorticella, Trichoda, Cercaria, Leuco-
pera, Gonium, Colpoda, Paramcenum, Cycldnum,
Burlaria, Vibrio, Enchelis, Bacillaria, Volvox, Mo-
nas.
For more particular information concerning the several branches and subjects of zoology, the reader may consult the various articles above referred to, and he will find most of the genera described in their order in the alphabet.