[...] animals are divided into:
(a) those that belong to the Emperor,
(b) embalmed ones,
(c) those that are trained,
(d) suckling pigs,
(e) mermaids,
(f) fabulous ones,
(g) stray dogs,
(h) those that are included in this classification,
(i) those that tremble as if they were mad,
(j) innumerable ones,
(k) those drawn with a very fine camel brush,
(l) others,
(m) those that have just broken a flower vase,
(n) those that resemble flies from a distance.
[...]
attributed to "a certain chinese encyclopedia" in: The Analytical
Language of John Wilkins, a short essay by J. L. Borges. It is not
entirely clear whether such an encyclopaedia really did exist, or, if not,
it was dreamt up by Borges, the guy he quotes, or somewhone else
entirely. The term "chinese encyclopedia" has been used as a synonym for "a
motley collection of things" or "a failed attempt at systematization" by
many people.