In this way we determine the exact place of each animal. The dog belongs to the kingdom Animalia, sub-kingdom Metazoa, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Canidæ, genus Canis, species Familiaris, variety Hound (possibly) and its individual name, perhaps, is “Rover.”
The important thing is that the reader should have a picture of the actual animal representing each class in his mind’s eye. He should master the distinctions between the great groups, or classes, before proceeding to a more minute classification.
TABULAR VIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE ANIMAL TYPES
The present day classification of animal life falls into two great divisions: (1) Protozoa, representing those composed of a single cell; and (2) Metazoa, those whose bodies are composed of many cells. The Protozoa, so far as known, form a single division or branch of the animal kingdom, and the Metazoa comprise various higher branches. In the following table the divisions are given from the highest forms to the lowest, rather than in the reverse order frequently given, and sets out the chief characteristic and animal examples of each division.
ANIMAL KINGDOM (Kingdom Animalia)
Sub-Kingdom METAZOA (Gr. meta, after; zȯon, animal).—Animals with cellular tissues, true eggs, and blastoderm. The group comprises all animals except the Protozoa.
Class I. Mammalia (Lat., mamma, breast).—Animals which suckle their young, bringing them into the world alive. Examples: man, monkey, ox, elephant and whale.
Order I. Primates (Lat., primus, first).
Sub-Order I.
Bimana (Lat., bis, twice; manus, a hand).—Two-handed animals. Example: man.
Sub-Order II.
Quadrumana (Lat., quatuor, four; manus, a hand).—Four-handed animals. Example: the monkey.