FIELD E ; Taxonomy Code 



Columns 18, 19, 20, 21, 



22, 23, 24, and 25 



recognized except historically by the CBCC code as having once been described to encompass organisms 

 of the recognized order Milleporina (Symbol 3 13) as well as organisms of the order Stylasterina (Symbol 

 314). If an organism is identified only as to such a composite taxonomic group of which it is a member, 

 it is usually advisable to code a single line, with the organism coded only to the category above the 

 composite category (e. g. , to the family of a composite genus with which the test organism has been 

 identified). 



Where there are included in the list names for groups which the CBCC Code recognizes as being 

 incorporated into a single group (e. g. , two or more orders being recognized by this list as a single 

 order), the symbol for each of the smaller groups is identical to that for the single CBCC-recognized 

 group. Accompanying each such name in the list is the explanation that it is considered as being 

 included in another, specified, single group. For example, classes Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes 

 are both considered as being incorporated into the single class Gnathostomata, Symbol A, and therefore 

 are both assigned Symbol A, with an explanation with each that they are represented by the composite 

 class Gnathostomata. If a chemical response is described as generally typical of all organisms of a 

 group which the CBCC Code recognizes as being incorporated into a group of another name, the coding 

 is unable to distinguish the restriction of the response to the group described by the author and it is 

 important that, besides writing the name of the group which the author describes, there be included in 

 the written abstract the notation that the group is incorporated into the composite group which is 

 represented by the CBCC symbol used. 



Names for sub- and supergroups are incorporated into the list as part of the taxonomic schemes, 

 although they cannot be distinigushed by code. Refer to Division 3. 



Common names are given a symbol identical to that for the scientific name of the species or 

 group. 



In no case is there pretended a completeness in the listing of common names, intergroups, or 

 synonyms. 



6. Adaptation of the CBCC Taxonomy Code 



The foregoing discussion has emphasized that the CBCC Taxonomy Code has been designed 

 with the specific needs of the CBCC in mind. This approach in explanation has been made at the risk 

 of creating an impression that the Taxonomy Code is in some way highly specialized and of little use 

 other than for coding of chemical-biological information. That this is not true will be understood by 

 even casual reflection. The Center has assumed that its Taxonomy Code represents a pattern of 

 organization that could be used for virtually any project coding biological information when it is 

 desirable to identify organisms by code. Since it has proved satisfactory for the CBCC, it is believed 

 to be adequate for most purposes precisely in the form presented here. On the other hand, the pattern 

 might be used, but simplified or expanded, according to special needs. 



7. Other systems for coding organism identities 



Time has not permitted compiling a bibliography of taxonomic codification systems. When the 

 CBCC organized its Taxonomy Code, there was nothing on which the CBCC might have patterned its 

 code to suit its needs and there was therefore no recourse but to develop its own system. A system 

 used by the Entomology Department of the State Plant Board of Florida and the Statistical Laboratory of 

 the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, has been described in an article published in 1958 1 . 

 This system is very similar to that used in making the CBCC Taxonomy Symbols; the essential difference 

 is that of restricting symbols entirely to numerical units rather than using IBM zone punches to provide 

 letter units. Thus, having available only nine numerical punching positions in each IBM punched card 

 column, two columns have been used to provide 99 available symbols or three columns for 999 avail- 

 able symbols. The two systems are compared by the following opposing lists. 



Taxonomic Codification of Biological Entitles by H. A. Denmark, H. V. Weems, Jr. , and Carlis Taylor; 

 Science , Vol. 128, No. 3330, Oct. 24, 1958, pages 990-992. 



- 28 - 



