Explain the Work of John Ray in Animal Taxonomy?
The first important work on both animal and plants was initiated by John Ray (1627-1705). He followed Aristotle and divided animals those with blood and those apparently without blood. The former were further divided into those with gills and those with lungs. He also used other characteristics like the production of eggs or living young ones, the possession of broad hooves or narrow claws, the existence of two or more incisor teeth, and so on. Thus, he covered almost the entire animal kingdom.
This system of classification was appreciated because, the system was logical, practical and easy to follow. He produced the first rudiments of our hierarchical classification and the first good definition of the species as a reproducing unit.