A REVISION OF THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE 



BRACHYURA* 



BY MARY J. RATHBUN. 



In reviewing the history of the genera of Brachyura f it is evi- 

 dent that many names in current use violate accepted rules of 

 nomenclature. In the following pages especial attention has 

 been paid to generic names, with incidental notes on the names 

 of s})ecies. The Code of the American Ornithologists' Union has 

 been observed in making changes. Many of the problems which 

 have arisen are, however, not covered by the provisions of the 

 code, and recourse to the opinions of individuals has been 

 deemed advisable. The writer is under obligation especially to 

 Dr. Walter Faxon and Dr. Theodore Gill not only for advice, 

 but for much practical assistance. Others whose opinions have 

 been consulted on various doubtful points are Drs. J. A. Allen, 

 W. H. Dall, C. Hart Merriam, T. S. Palmer, C. W. Richmond, 

 L. Stejneger, C. W. Stiles, Profs. A. E. Verrill and S. I. Smith, 

 and Messrs. J. E. Benedict, G. S. Miller, Jr., and R. Ridgway. 

 It is but proper to add that no one but the writer is responsible 

 for errors which may appear. 



For convenience, the names which it is thought necessary to 

 change are discussed under ten different headings. 



1. Names diverted from their original meaning. — Canon XXII of 

 the Code of the American Ornithologists' Union says : " In no 



* Published by permission of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion. 



fThe term Brachyura is here used as limited by Miers, 1886, with the 

 addition of the Raninidaj, Alcock, 1896. 



37— Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. XI, 1897 (153) 



