[Fwd: woodworking analogy]

[Thomas Lammers]

At 02:15 PM 2/8/00 +1100, you wrote:
> > >perfect). Lacking perfect fit, we have to use glue, nails, and screws to
> > >hold the pieces together sometimes. This is where taxonomy becomes as
> > >much an art as a science. When we are through, we fill the cracks and
> > >holes with putty to make the whole piece seem to go together well... and
>
>and then we give the whole lot several good coats of paint to hide the
>multitude of sins beneath...  :)

And, by golly, for better or worse, they FUNCTION!


Thomas G. Lammers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Curator of the Herbarium (OSH)
Department of Biology and Microbiology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8640 USA

e-mail:                     lammers at uwosh.edu
phone (office):         920-424-7085
phone (herbarium):  920-424-1002
fax:                         920-424-1101

Plant systematics; classification, nomenclature, evolution, and
biogeography of the Campanulaceae s. lat.
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"Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that stood his ground."
                                                 -- Anonymous