Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies
Subject(s): American Ornithologists' Union, Audubon, John James, 1785-1851, Bachman, John, 1790-1874, Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887, Botany, Classification, Coyote, Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915, Mammalogy, Ornithology, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Wolves, Zoological specimens, Zoology
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C. Hart Merriam examines whether the system of classifying species is satisfactory or not. It will be years before it can be said with certainty that forms “do or do not intergrade.” A fixed nomenclature will be impossible until that point. Merriam concludes his argument by urging museums, sportsmen, and naturalists “to secure and preserve specimens of our larger mammals from remote parts of their ranges.” A handwritten note dated May 13 from the editor of Science asks whether the recipient would like to discuss Merriam’s position further.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1897-05-14
Creator(s)
Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942
Language
English
Period
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (April 1897-April 1898)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
6
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies. [May 14, 1897]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o25715. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942. Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies. [14 May. 1897]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o25715.
APA:
Merriam, C. Hart (Clinton Hart), 1855-1942., [1897, May 14]. Suggestions for a new method of discriminating between species and subspecies.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o25715.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.