Próba klasyfikacji „odmian” zwierząt w połączeniu z obserwacjami nietypowych zmian sezonowych i innych, które w sposób naturalny zachodzą u rozmaitych gatunków brytyjskich, lecz nie dają podstaw do wyodrębnienia odmian
An Attempt to Classify the „Varieties” of Animals, with Observations on the Marked Seasonal and Other Changes which Naturally Take Place in Various British Species, and which Do Not Constitute Varieties

Summary/Abstract: The appellation „variety” being very commonly misapplied to individuals of a species, which are merely undergoing a regular natural change, either progressing from youth to maturity, or gradually shifting, according to fixed laws, their colours with the seasons, I conceive that it will be useful to some, to point out a few of the less generally known changes which naturally take place in various British animals; some few of which appear to have been hitherto overlooked, and others to have been described incorrectly. The term „variety” is understood to signify a departure from the acknowledged type of a species, either in structure, in size, or in colour; but is vague in the degree of being alike used to denote the slightest individual variation, and the most dissimilar breeds which have originated from one common stock. The term is, however, quite inapplicable to an animal in any state of periodical change natural to the species to which it belongs. Varieties require some classification. I shall here propose to arrange them under four principal heads: simple variations, acquired variations, breeds, and true varieties. The second division of my subject will concern some periodical and other changes of appearance, which naturally take place in various British animals, and which do not constitute varieties. Among our native mammalia, I know of three principal modes whereby a change of colour is brought about; namely, an actual shedding of the coat; a partial shedding of the coat; and an actual change of colour in the coat itself.

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