PALUDINA VIVIPARA. 21 



with no other object; and the pretender, who wishes to be 

 cited as the authority for placing certain species in certain 

 genera, has only to prowl over the works of naturalists of 

 high standing, until he finds something which will answer 

 his purpose. Thus he may discover that Paludina dissi- 

 milis is an Anculosa — pretend that the genus Exogyra is 

 untenable, (which will enable him to place Ostrea or Chama 

 before, and his own name after, all the species) — or that of 

 the synonyms Lytta and Cantharis, (the former being pre- 

 ferred by the Germans, the latter by English entomolo- 

 gists,) Say chose the worst for his L. Nuttalli, which can 

 accordingly be changed to Cantharis Nuttalli; or, all the 

 species of Cantharis may be changed back to Lytta, with- 

 out the trouble of going to "the base of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains" for species. 



The various changes in nomenclature can be placed with 

 propriety only in the list of synonyms, and it is giving 

 what is not wanted, to place the name of him who has 

 done the least for a species, after it; instead of his, to whom 

 we owe it; especially when it is mentioned incidentally, 

 without immediate reference to the original synonym. 

 It is better to have a single original authority for a species, 

 cited throughout all works, than to have a different one for 

 every author who chooses to publish upon it. An interme- 

 diate plan might be adopted, which would place "of 

 authors," (Auc.) after species like the above; or to cite the 

 original authority with the later one, thus: Paludina vivi- 

 para, Lin., Lam. I might cite authorities for my own views, 

 but they are divided; the majority perhaps, holding oppo- 

 site opinions; (as many of them are more or less interested 



