342 On altering established Scientific Names* 



be derived from its likeness to another genus or species. If 

 a specific name will stand these tests, no one has a right to 

 alter it. I may now proceed to show how generic names may 

 be tested : one rule is, perhaps, sufficient : if they have any 

 meaning, it must be consistent with truth. This rule will 

 exclude, among others, the following : iiZaliaetos albicilla ; 

 Loxia curvirostra, Mcticorax europae us ; Caprimulgus euro- 

 pae N us ; Phalacrocorax cristatus, Carbo cristatus, &c. 



These rules appear to me sufficient, though they may be 

 found to require modifications or additions. I may observe, 

 that Greek names should be avoided. It is to be regretted, 

 that unnecessary changes have been made in scientific names 

 by naturalists of high repute ; as, in addition to the confusion 

 produced, an example is thereby set which may be prejudicial 

 to the welfare of science. Thus, Swainson has rejected jRu- 

 becula, the legitimate name of the genus redbreast, and sub- 

 stituted the Greek name ifrythaca, which neither he nor any 

 one else had any right to do. The first was used by Wil- 

 lughby, Brisson, and other old authors. The same may be 

 said of Ossifraga (ossifrage), Picedula (fauvet), Ruticilla 

 (redstart), Pluvialis (plover) ; which names certain modern 

 systematists have most unwarrantly changed to JSaliaetus, 

 Curruca, Phcenicura, and Charadrius. Rennie has altered 

 the name of the wren from Troglodites to Anorthura; and 

 this he had a right to do, for Troglodites is engaged for a 

 genus of mammals. The great point to be observed is, that 

 the first appropriate name which is given no one has a right 

 to alter. 



Having thus expressed my thoughts on nomenclature, I 

 earnestly recommend this important subject to the consider- 

 ation of every well-wisher of natural history in general, and 

 of ornithology in particular. It would seem, indeed, that the 

 neglect hitherto shown to the subject has been in proportion 

 to its importance; for scientific nomenclature has been hitherto 

 left to the caprice of the pedantic, and vernacular nomen- 

 clature has been abandoned to the mercy of the ignorant. 

 It has been remarked (and every one who has observed the 

 signs of the times must agree in the remark), that " the time 

 must finally arrive, when a complete and thorough alteration 

 will take place throughout zoological nomenclature : " and it 

 is not only the privilege, but also the duty, of every naturalist 

 to hasten the arrival of this time, which, now that a principle 

 is discovered, cannot be far distant. 



Sudbury Hall, April 20. 1836. 



