Linnaeus’ and Buffon’s Ornithological Methodological During the Age of Enlightenment

During the 1700’s, several biologists and naturalists
attempted to create a myriad of designs in order
imbibe structure in this world of chaotic organisms.
Among the many candidates for a taxonomic system
were the Swedish biologist Carol Linnaeus (1707-1778)
and George Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788). Insight
into their scientific methodologies allows us a
rare window into mid-eighteenth century discussions
about the animal-human relationship and its place in
society. Historians, and scientists have commented on
this ever growing debate and its outcome, but none
have seriously delved into the approaches of both
Linnaeus and Buffon and its comparisons to modern
day understanding of animals. In this paper I explore
the similarities and differences in the methodology of
these two naturalists by analyzing three distinct birds:
the ibis, the sandpiper, and the hummingbird.