ABSTRACT
All the different conceptions which man has ever formed about the coming into existence of the different animal and vegetable species may conveniently be divided into two great contrasted groups—the natural and supernatural histories of creation. The value which every scientific theory possesses is measured by the number and importance of the objects which can be explained by it, as well as by the simplicity and universality of the causes which are employed in it as grounds of explanation. The scientific materialism has long since been so universally acknowledged in the wide domain of inorganic science, in Physics and Chemistry, in Mineralogy and Geology, that no one any longer doubts its sole authority. Even the great Swedish naturalist, Charles Linnaeus linked his System of Nature most closely to the Mosaic history of creation. According to Linnaeus’ plan, the more general and comprehensive generic name is written first; the special subordinate name of the species follows it.
