September, 1841.] 89 



two new Freshwater Shells," reported in favour of publica- 

 tion. 



The committee on Dr. Ravenel's " Description of two new 

 fossil species of ScutellaV' reported in favour of publication. 



The committee on Mr. Speakman's memoir on Light and 

 Heat, reported in favour of depositing it in the library of the 

 Academy. 



The committee on Mr. Phillips's communication, read at 

 the last meeting, on the claim to priority in the description of 

 new species, submitted a report, which was ordered to be 

 printed with the proceedings of this meeting. 



The committee to whom was referred the consideration of the 

 views and suggestions of Mr. Phillips concerning the rights of 

 authors; and of the practice of changing original names to suit new 

 made nomenclatures, havingcarefully examined these interesting and 

 important matters, respectfully recommend the publication of Mr. 

 Phillips's communication in the bulletin of the proceedings of the 

 Academy ; and further, beg leave to submit to the Academy a few 

 brief remarks : 



In the opinion of your committee, the establishment of well- 

 defined, and readily understood principles, as bases of nomencla- 

 tures, especially as regards the priority of the rights of authors in 

 the history of nature, is most essential ; not only because it will 

 have a direct tendency to stimulate labourers in science to profound 

 investigation and research, and secure to them the harvest they 

 may achieve, and thence facilitate the acquisition of precise know- 

 ledge to all ; but it will likewise be eminently conservative of the 

 integrity and reputation of science itself amongst us. 



It appears to your committee to have been conclusively under- 

 stood by many naturalists, from precedents established in scientific 

 institutions both in Europe and in this country by usage, if not by 

 written law ; that the date of a printed publication, accessible to all, 

 to men of science as well as to others, announcing new discoveries, 



shall fix and determine the right of priority; and hence names and 

 13 



