1896
for in the ordinary sense of the term Huxley was not an ornithologist. As early as 1S64 he marshalled birds with reptiles under one grand division, or 'province' of the Vertebrata under the name Sauropsida, opposed on the one hand to the Mammalia, and on the other to the Ichthyopsida, consisting of fishes and amphibians. His principal and epoch-making ornithological memoir appeared in 1867, entitled 'On the Classification of Birds; and on the Taxonomic Value of the Modifications of certain of the Cranial Bones observable in that Class' (P. Z. S., 1867, pp. 415–472. with 36 figs, in text; see also Ibis, 186S, pp. 357–362). This was followed in 1868 by his important paper 'On the Classification and Distribution of the Alectoromorplue and Heteromorpha; (P. Z. S., 1868, pp. 294-319, with a map and 16 figs, in text). These two papers may be considered as his principal special contributions to the literature of ornithology. While a synopsis of these papers is perhaps uncalled for in this connection, it is of interest to note the insistence—then a novel idea—here made (P. Z. S., 1867, p. 415) "that in all the essential and fundamental points of their structure" birds so nearly approach reptiles "that the phrase 'Birds are greatly modified Reptiles' would hardly bean exaggerated expression of the closeness of that resemblance." Professor Huxley's classification, as is well known, was based primarily, and, in case of many of the minor groups, almost solely on the palatal structure, thus giving prominence to an unquestionably important set of characters previously almost overlooked. As is inevitably the case with any classification based on a single set of characters, the allocations here and there are bound to be more or less unnatural, and Huxley's scheme is not an exception. Yet the importance of his memoirs can scarcely be over- rated, and their influence has been far-reaching.
In common with most of the learned societies of the world, the American Ornithologists' Union has honored itself in its attempt to show respect to Professor Huxley by enrolling him in its list of Honorary Members,—as much perhaps in recognition of his eminent attainments in all fields of biological research as in the special field of ornithology.
Any notice of this great man would be reprehensibly incomplete without some further reference to his wonderful influence upon the scientific thought of his time, and his rare gifts as a writer and lecturer. In his battles for evolution he has upheld unflinchingly what he believed to be scientific truth, and with a boldness and efficiency that has no parallel. As a fitting conclusion to this brief notice may be added the following selections from his own words: "To promote the increase of natural knowledge and to forward the application of scientific methods of investigation to all the problems of life to the best of my ability, in the conviction which has grown with my growth and strengthened with my strength, that there is no alleviation for the sufferings of mankind except veracity of thought and of action, and the resolute facing of the world as it is when the garment of make-believe by which pious hands have hidden its ugliest features is stripped off.
