Whether amateur or a professional, the collector must always think of how best to classify his collections. He chooses classification criteria to guide him in organizing the objects so as to best present them. The classification system is also chosen to reflect the objectives of the collector.
Whether amateur or a professional, the collector must always think of how best to classify his collections. He chooses classification criteria to guide him in organizing the objects so as to best present them. The classification system is also chosen to reflect the objectives of the collector.
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For example, a collection based on an organizing principle which is geographic, allows the collector to discover a variety of objects from different regions of the world. So, a cartophile could mount a geographic collection of post cards from the different regions of Canada, while a lepidopterophile might present different species of butterflies living in different countries.
Some collectors prefer to classify the objects in a thematic form of collection. They gather objects that correspond to themes; this makes it easier to research the objects and also makes the collection unique. For example, rather than classing postage stamps according to their country of origin, a philatelist might assemble a collection of stamps depicting birds or famous people.
In a thematic perspective, collectors could classify the following specimens differently, according to their objectives. Here are two Read More
For example, a collection based on an organizing principle which is geographic, allows the collector to discover a variety of objects from different regions of the world. So, a cartophile could mount a geographic collection of post cards from the different regions of Canada, while a lepidopterophile might present different species of butterflies living in different countries.
Some collectors prefer to classify the objects in a thematic form of collection. They gather objects that correspond to themes; this makes it easier to research the objects and also makes the collection unique. For example, rather than classing postage stamps according to their country of origin, a philatelist might assemble a collection of stamps depicting birds or famous people.
In a thematic perspective, collectors could classify the following specimens differently, according to their objectives. Here are two examples of classification.
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Ornithorhynchus anatinus, Platypus, Australia
Patrick Pilon
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Bycanistes subcylindricus, Grey-cheeked Hornbill, Uganda, Africa
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Callicore aegina, Peru
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Castor canadensis, Beaver, Canada
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Icterus galbula, Northern Oriole, Canada
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Gomphus spicatus, Dusky Clubtail, Canada
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
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The animals of Canada
Northern Oriole
Beaver
Dusky Clubtail
Animals from other countries
Platypus
Grey-cheeked Hornbill
Callicore aegina
According to characteristics: animals that fly (example 2)
Animals that fly
Northern Oriole
Grey-cheeked Hornbill
Callicore aegina
Animals that do not fly
Beaver
Platypus
Dusky Clubtail
How would you classify them?
The animals of Canada
Northern Oriole
Beaver
Dusky Clubtail
Animals from other countries
Platypus
Grey-cheeked Hornbill
Callicore aegina
According to characteristics: animals that fly (example 2)
Animals that fly
Northern Oriole
Grey-cheeked Hornbill
Callicore aegina
Animals that do not fly
Beaver
Platypus
Dusky Clubtail
How would you classify them?
© 2010, Musée de la nature et des sciences inc. All Rights Reserved.
Whether it is to protect himself or to communicate, humans have always needed to name the plants and animals around them. Depending on the country or language, different names may designate the same animal or the same plant, which can sometimes cause confusion among the people discussing it. It was therefore necessary to find a more universal system. A Swedish scientist, Carolus Linnaeus (Carl Von Linné), proposed in 1758 to name living organisms based on a binomial system, that is a system in which each organism is identified by two names, a generic name, the genus, and a specific name, the species. By retaining the Latin name as the universal language of communication among scientists around the world, Linnaeus proposed, for example, to name the American Beaver, Castor canadensis, and the European Beaver, Castor fiber. These two rodents are similar enough that one could give them both the name of the genus, Castor but they are also distinct, so they are given different species names Castor canadensis and Castor fiber.
In the international system, organisms are classified in seven major categories: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Orde Read More
Whether it is to protect himself or to communicate, humans have always needed to name the plants and animals around them. Depending on the country or language, different names may designate the same animal or the same plant, which can sometimes cause confusion among the people discussing it. It was therefore necessary to find a more universal system. A Swedish scientist, Carolus Linnaeus (Carl Von Linné), proposed in 1758 to name living organisms based on a binomial system, that is a system in which each organism is identified by two names, a generic name, the genus, and a specific name, the species. By retaining the Latin name as the universal language of communication among scientists around the world, Linnaeus proposed, for example, to name the American Beaver, Castor canadensis, and the European Beaver, Castor fiber. These two rodents are similar enough that one could give them both the name of the genus, Castor but they are also distinct, so they are given different species names Castor canadensis and Castor fiber.
In the international system, organisms are classified in seven major categories: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and, finally, Species. Other categories may be added depending on the groups of organisms.
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Example 1 of the nomenclature and the binomial system
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
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Example 2 of the nomenclature and the binomial system
Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
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Here as an example is a simple key that makes it possible to identify the preceding six specimens. To proceed through the key, you must choose the better of the two descriptions proposed to go to the next step.
1 a) Animal that has at least two wings (go to 2)
b) Animal without wings (go to 5 )
2 a) The body is covered with feathers (go to 3)
b) The body is smooth or covered with hair, but never covered with feathers
(go to 4 )
3 a) Strong, high beak, with a keratinous part Bycanistes subcylindricus
Read More
Here as an example is a simple key that makes it possible to identify the preceding six specimens. To proceed through the key, you must choose the better of the two descriptions proposed to go to the next step.
1 a) Animal that has at least two wings (go to 2)
b) Animal without wings (go to 5 )
2 a) The body is covered with feathers (go to 3)
b) The body is smooth or covered with hair, but never covered with feathers
(go to 4 )
3 a) Strong, high beak, with a keratinous part Bycanistes subcylindricus
b) Pointed, conical beak, never with a keratinous part Icterus galbula
4 a) The wings are opaque and covered with small, microscopic scales visible
with a magnifying glass Callicore aegina
b) The wings are translucent Gomphus spicatus
5 a) The animal has a developed muzzle, covered by a keratinus casing,
resembling the beak of a duck; absence of teeth in the adult
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
b) Animal that has a short, rounded muzzle; incisors are long, pointed and
strong Castor canadensis
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Learning Objectives
• Use scientific and technological tools, objects and procedures;
• Discover the importance of the choice of classification criteria in collections;
• Explore various types of classification systems for objects in a collection;
• Understand and use an identification key to classify objects.
