In the great kingdom Animalia, roam beasts microscopic and grand,
Of fur, feathered wing and scales, in sea, sky and land.
Reigning as king is Panthera Leo, with majestic roar and mane.
Giraffa Camelopardalis strolling down African plains.
Family Felidae, of lithe feet, emerald eyes and blazen claws,
Are Felis Margarita, Silverstris, Catus and Chaus.
Family Canidae will always be the loyal Man’s best friend,
As will Canis Lupus, Rufus, Familiaris and Latrans.
O Latin Nomenclature, count me the ways,
From my Equidae, Bovidae, Rodentia, Aves and Corvidae,
The lumbering Ursa Arctos and the busy Apis Mellifera,
The slumbering Bradypus Variegatus and the chirping Erithacus rubecula,
And now for some fun, 10 tautonyms non-stop,
Starting with Dugong Dugong, Bubo Bubo, Rattus Rattus, Mops Mops,
Cygnus Cygnus, Meles Meles, Bison Bison, Iguana Iguana
Gorilla Gorilla, Gecko Gecko, Lynx Lynx and Hyaena Hyaena.
For polite insults of antique strain, tease those cynical haters,
A blithering Bubalus Bubalis or a pernicious Pongo Pygmaeus.
Indicator Indicator for bad drivers and don’t throw pearls before Suinae
Why does everyone keep asking what did that dratted Vulpes Vulpes say?
So to my Homeo Sapien readers, it is very clear to see,
Branching out to Phylum, Class and Genus is a rich and ordered family tree.
Mapping out Nature’s beauty, so diverse in its intricate threads,
Of sophisticated roots and derivatives, bring Latin back from the dead!