[Taxacom] Source of quote on taxon ranking

[Richard Pyle]

I don't recall that one from Darwin.  But this is my favorite Darwin quote
along these lines:

"Hence, in determining whether a form should be ranked as a species or a
variety, the opinion of naturalists having sound judgment and wide
experience seems the only guide to follow."
(Origin of Species)

Translation: "A species is what taxonomists say it is."

Aloha,
Rich

> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-
> bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Hughes
> Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 6:23 AM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] Source of quote on taxon ranking
> 
> Does anyone have any idea who said:
> 
> "Trying to decide if a group of organisms is a species, a subspecies or a
variety
> is like trying to decide if a group of houses is a town, a village or a
hamlet?"
> 
> I thought it was Darwin but I cant find the source anywhere. The quote is
> from (gin-soaked) memory so may deviate slightly from the original.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Mark Hughes (PhD)
> Tropical Botanist (Begonia systematics)
> Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
> Phone: +44 (0)131 248 2893
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> Fax: +44 (0)131 248 2901
> 
> SE Asian Begonia database<http://elmer.rbge.org.uk/Begonia/>
> Personal home page<http://www.rbge.org.uk/science/tropical-
> diversity/mark-hughes-home-page>
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> diversity/Monographic-phylogenetic-research/begoniaceae>
> 
> 
> --
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