Consequently few voices of dissent were heard as modern science evolved to be a masculine philosophy and soon the world constructed by men was considered to be the only one worth bothering about. Fitting into this philosophy of 'solid truths' was the Linnean binomial system of scientific names, whereby living creatures were grouped according to their taxonomic status. Everything in its own little box.
Aboriginal classification differs in many respects.
Although animals have generic names, eg the Kuninjku call all snakes Ngayin, and all fish Djenj, they often have other names depending on sex and condition, especially if they are important food items. So common wallaroo is Ngabudj, but male and female are respectively Galkbard and Wallaar. Animals that are ritually important also have separate names. For instance two lizards that look quite similar - Gould's Goanna Varanis gouldii and Sand Goanna V. panoptes are respectively Djani and Garawan . The first is food for anyone, but the second is only for those who pass 'ceremony tests'.