50 



MEDUSA. I. 



founded by Haeckel owing to a false supposition (the presence of clubs), and because the descrip- 

 tion, therefore, is erroneous. On the other hand, the characterisation of the genus Alcltccr/iiui, given 

 by Agassiz on the basis of the species canipaintla, is clear and correct. Moreover the genus Meltcertum 

 Ao'assiz is older than Melicertidium Haeckel. Before we decide to release the name Melicertitiii we 

 mitst, therefore, examine how far the use of that name may give rise to a continued confusion. 



First we must examine the fate of the different species of ^'•Melicerta" and '■^Melicertitnr. In 

 order to illustrate the question I have worked out the adjacent synopsis (Table V) including (first 

 column) all species of the genera Mcliccrta Peron & Lesueur and Meliccrtiim scnsu Oken and Esch- 

 scholtz. In the second column I have recorded by whom and when these generic names have been 



Table V. Synopsis of the Species of Mcliccrta Peron & Lesueur and Mcliccrtniii 



Oken and Eschscholtz. 



* Used by Ehrenberg 18^6 and TliomDson 1S45 for M. octocosiatunt Sars. 



* Used bv L, Ag.Tssiz 1862 and Kolliker 1864 for M. octocoslnlum Sals. 



used for the last time for the species in question. Finalh-, the last column gives the names, which are 

 now commonly used for these species. Mcliccrimii piisilhuii Eschscholtz and Melicerta morchella Les- 

 son have not later been identified. 



The application of the name of Mclicert/t/j/ caiitpaiiiilahtiii in Ehrenberg (1836) and of 

 Melicertiun pusilliiiii in L. Agassiz (1862) is simply due to erroneous identifications, which are, in- 

 deed, regrettable enough, but they have done no continuous harm and are of no importance whatever 

 with regard to the question here discussed. 



When campanula is temporarily excepted, we will see, from the synopsis, that the use of the 

 names Melicerta and Melicertimi in the old meaning [sensit Peron &. Lesueur, Oken, and Eschscholtz) 

 ceases entirely after the year 1843 (Lesson), in the case of some species even earlier, thus, in any 

 ca.se, long before L. Agassiz used Meliccrtnin in a new meaning. 



When Melicertiun caiupaiiula seMS7i Agsissvz. still as late as in 1888 (Fewkes 1888 b) is recorded 



