The number of organisms, both living and extinct, is so great that some
system of classification is needed to link them all together. Many
fossils bear distinct similarities to plants and animals that are living
today, and for this reason paleontological classification is similar to
that used to classify modern organisms. This system, known as the system
of _binomial nomenclature_, was first used consistently in 1758 by Linné
(or Linnaeus), an early Swedish naturalist.
Scientific names established in accordance with the principles of
binomial nomenclature consist of two parts: the _generic_ (or _genus_)
name and the _trivial_ name. These names are commonly derived from Greek
or Latin words which are usually descriptive of the organism or fossil
being named. They may, however, be derived from the names of people or
places, and in such instances the names are always Latinized. Greek or
Latin is used because they are “dead” languages and not subject to
change. They are also “international” languages in that scientists all
over the world can use the same names regardless of what language they
write in. The system of binomial nomenclature has led to the development
of the science of _taxonomy_, the systematic classification and naming
of plants and animals according to their relationships.