How and Why We Classify
(Written
2/7/2007 by Julie C. Gilbert)
Ever
wonder why we classify living things?
Maybe
it’s second nature.
Maybe
it keeps us sane.
Maybe
it’s one of a thousand
Reasons
we don’t quite understand.
Tell
me how; tell me why
Nothing
else will satisfy.
Ever
wonder how we classify living things?
Kingdom,
Phylum, Class, and Order
Family,
Genus, Species, too.
All
things living fit inside
Each
of these categories.
Ever
wonder how we remember
How
we classify living things?
King
Phillip Cried Out
For
Goodness Sake!
Who
is Phillip? Why’s he crying?
I
have no idea,
But
now, you know some how and why
We
classify living things.
Little Lion Cub’s Family
(Written
2/22/2007 by Julie C. Gilbert)
I
was walking around on a really fine day
And
saw the strangest sight:
The
cutest little lion cub sat on his haunches,
Talking
to a really smart man.
Said
the little lion cub to the really smart man,
“Sir,
do you know my family?”
Said
the really smart man to the little lion cub,
“Well,
hey, little fellow, sure I know your family.
You’re
in Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata,
Class
Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Felidae.”
“Well,
that can’t be right!”
“Of
course, it’s right! I’m
always right!
Furthermore,
you’re in Genus Pantera, Species leo.”
Just
then, over the man’s shoulder,
The
little lion cub saw his mother.
He
ran up to her, gave a hug,
And
listened to her lecture.
Said
the little lion cub’s mother,
“Son,
what I say about talking to strangers?”
Fungal Filled World
(Written
I was thinking about the types
Of fungus I could eat –
Yeah, I know you’re wondering why –
Mushrooms and morels, yeasts and truffles
All call Fungi their Kingdom home.
That got me thinking on
What the world would be like
If we didn’t have fungi.
It wouldn’t be a pretty thing.
If we didn’t have fungi,
There wouldn’t be a Chestnut Blight
And the elms would be all right.
But if we didn’t have fungi,
We’d be buried in dead things.
And there wouldn’t be wine or bread.
What would the world be like
If we didn’t have fungi?
Journey of Discovery
(
Always thought I knew
All I needed to about plants,
But I was wrong, so very wrong.
So many things I did not know
Suddenly came to life for me
When I began to study.
Even as the parts and phyla blur
Their importance is becoming clear.
So, come with me on a journey.
Oh, the air I breathe is sweeter now.
The clothes I wear are nicer;
The food I eat is richer,
Just to know the source.
So, come with me on a journey of discovery.
Maybe we’ll find bits and pieces
Of a past we did not know.
Maybe we’ll come across some truths
To keep the future safe and bright.