The following ditty was unearthed in archives of the Linnean Society, but much of the surrounding text had been damaged. Though it lacks in musicality, it must have been of some kind of interest. Perhaps you can help decipher its significance?
The solution to the puzzle is a single English word:
Try not to look at these hints unless you get really stuck -- they count against you on the leaderboard!
Hint 1 - early puzzle
Hint 2 - mid puzzle
Hint 3 - late puzzle