FAMILY

In Zoology, the group next in value and comprehensivene above the genus; existing in fact, though under the name of the genus, in the cla ification of Linnajus, who indicated the diflerent groups of species therein comprehended by numbers, instead of collective appellations. Such divisions of the Linnsean genus occur only in those instances in which an unusual number of species presented themselves to the consideration of the clear sighted Swede. The progre of modern discovery has added so many new forms to the naturalist's catalogue, as to render nece ary a corresponding subdivision of 1,(vst of the Linna^an genera. To these subordinate L roups of species distinct names are given, for the sake of convenience; and in order to designate the natunil family which these groups compose, the name of the original or t^ical genus is generally retained, with the 439 FARCE. addition of the Greek patronymic ides to the genitive case. Thus, e.g. the characters of the Linns a an genus Mus are applicable to a vast number of Rodents, which scientific precision requires to be arranged in numerous subordinate groups; these are distinguished by appropriate generic names in modern systems, and the term Muridee is applied to the famih/ which they collectively compose. FAN, FANNERS," or [s. 452]