CE RATI SOLE N. 9 



although the Pharella of Gray is closely allied to Cerati- 

 solen. The present genus is considered by some authors 

 synonymous with Pharus of Leach, originally a manu- 

 script name, and since made to a certain extent intel- 

 ligible in consequence of Dr. Gray having cited, in the 

 British Museum Catalogue of Mollusca, "Solen legumen" 

 as the type or example. But, in a scientific point of 

 view, it does not seem to matter much whether the 

 name of any group is merely manuscript, or inadequately 

 defined. In order to constitute a genus, it is not suffi- 

 cient for any naturalist, even if he should be gifted with 

 an eagle-eye, to pounce upon a certain species and say, 

 " That 's my genus so and so." Something more is 

 wanting. He ought to describe its characteristics, or 

 at all events point out in what respects it can be distin- 

 guished from other genera. I fully concur in the re- 

 commendation of the British Association Committee, 

 ' ' that new genera or species be amply defined ; " and 

 one of the grounds of this recommendation seems also 

 to be reasonable, viz. that a large proportion of the 

 complicated mass of synonyms, which has now become 

 the opprobrium of zoology, has originated from the 

 slovenly and imperfect manner in which species and 

 higher groups have been defined. A name accompanied 

 by a sufficient description or diagnosis, and adopted by 

 naturalists of recognized authority, supersedes in my 

 opinion a prior name which, from the want of such ac- 

 companiment, was in fact "vox et prseterea nihil." 

 Ceratisolen has also euphony on its side. " Ejusmodi 

 vocabula Grseca lingua pulcherrima sunt." (Linnets 

 ' Philosophia Botanica/ § 222.) 



B D 



