40 An Attempt to classify 



things, in which every one does that which is right iu his 

 own eyes. 



With respect to established species, priority seems to be 

 the universal law for the adoption of specific names (see 

 some excellent remarks, by Mr. Westwood, in the Zoological 

 Journal, iv. 3 — 9.) ; subject to the exception, that the same 

 name be not repeated twice in. a genus. And, if persons 

 could be brought to view specific appellations purely in the 

 light of proper names, this law need have no other exception ; 

 for, as we do not object to William Whitehead's name because 

 his hair may happen to be red, so, if the meaning of a. specific 

 name be downrightly inapplicable to the object, this need not 

 prevent its sound being adopted as the conventional sign of 

 the species. Dot as, iu practice, such a circumstance would 

 produce confusion, we are compelled to admit the farther 

 exception to the above law of priority, that if, as rarely hap- 

 pens, the specific name have a meaning contradictory to the 

 species which it represents, that name should be changed for 

 one that is not contradictory. For the same reason, in naming 

 a new species, it is desirable that the name be as expressive as 

 possible; but, if no term that is applicable should occur, the 

 term fixed upon should, at least, be not contradictory. 



I hope that S. D. W. and other correspondents will regard 

 this subject with the attention which it deserves. 



[Mr. Curtis has, in his Illustrations of British Entomology, 

 t. 487. note *, disclaimed the exercise of the practice of alter- 

 ing names; under certain conditions, and for certain reasons, 

 there expressed.] 



Art. IV. An Attempt to classify the " Varieties'* of Animals, tvith 

 Observations on the marked Seasonal and other Changes tvhich 

 naturally take place in various British Species, and tvhich do not 

 constitute Varieties. By Mr. Edward Blyth. 



The appellation c< variety " being very commonly mis- 

 applied to individuals of a specie*, which are merely under- 

 going a regular natural change, either progressing from youth 

 to maturity, or gradually shifting, according to fixed laws, 

 their colours with the seasons, I conceive that it will be useful 

 to some, to point out a few of the less generally known 

 changes which naturally take place in various British animals; 

 some hw of which appear to have been hitherto overlooked, 

 and others to have been described incorrectly. 



The term "variety" is understood to signify a departure 

 from the acknowledged type of a species, either in structure, 



