566 Reply to C. J.'s Remarks 



that they will take much pains to learn these names. Hence, 

 technical names are for the few ; and, if for the purposes of 

 science, and in order to obtain an expressive name, a word is 

 formed of more than three, or even four syllables, I feel in- 

 clined to support it. Moreover, how is it possible to form a 

 name derived from several Greek words, and confine it always 

 within the bounds of three syllables. How, for instance, could 

 M. Chevrolat (whose memoir, we have read this evening) em- 

 ploy a name expressing a small insect living in wood, shorter 

 than Microxylobius. I will not deny that I prefer an expres- 

 sive name having some meaning, be it ever so long, to a non- 

 sense name, be it ever so short. As to specific names, I have 

 made various observations relative thereto in No. 13. of the Zool. 

 Journal, some of which have been recently reiterated : but 

 there is a practice respecting them, which has lately sprung up 

 in France, which deserves notice; I allude to the manner in 

 which the specific names of insects dedicated to distinguished 

 entomologists have been written, without any Latinised termi- 

 nation : thus we have Paphia Franck, Cetonia Hope, &c. The 

 custom of forming specific names from the name of the captor 

 or possessor of a new species, although considered as a fault 

 by a recent anonymous author, has been sanctioned by every 

 naturalist since the days of Linnaeus. It is an honourable tes- 

 timony of the opinions of fellow-labourers. It may, perhaps, 

 be considered that no classical rule can be applied for such 

 formations : all that we can do is, to adopt the style of the 

 Latinity of the middle ages. Hence we obtain such genitive 

 names as DaviszY, WaterhouszV, &c. (not Davisz, Waterhousez, 

 as the author above alluded to has misstated), derived from 

 the Latinised names of Davisius and Waterhousius, and not 

 Davisus and Waterhouseus. To lay down further rules than 

 this, would be as absurd as to say that these commemorative 

 names should be at once translated into Latin ; whereby we 

 should have Drepanocerus Spei, in honour of our treasurer, 

 and Hemiptarsenus Aquae Domus, commemorative of our 



Art. II. Reply to C. J.'s Remarks on Mr. Neville Wood's British 

 Song Birds. By Neville Wood, Esq. 



I have just perused the observations of C. J.; and, as he has 

 been kind enough to point out what he considers defects in 

 my British Song Birds, I will endeavour to perform the same 

 friendly office with regard to his paper. As the title of the 



* This memoir was read before the Entomological Society. 



