I I 2 BIOLOGICAL LECTURES. 



some other word used as a noun. But the application may be 

 conveniently extended, as in the next definition. 



Mononymic Qualifier. — A qualifying word (adjective, par- 

 ticiple, or genitive) consisting of a single word; e.g., the second 

 word in each of the following dionyms : Gyrus postcentralis (for 

 G. centralis posterior), G. siibfrontalis {ior G. frontalis inferior). 



Ordinal Names. — These indicate the order or numeric loca- 

 tion of a member of a series ; e.g., costa prima, vertebra 

 tJioracalis prima} 



Attributive Names. — These refer, at least in part, to some 

 real or fancied attribute; e.g., callosiim, oblongata, vagns. 



Simile Names. — These express real or fancied resemblances 

 to other objects by means of the suffixes formis or oides ; e.g., 

 restiformis, trapezoides. Most simile names might as well be 

 converted into the corresponding metaphoric names; e.g., restis, 



trapezium. 



Metaphoric Names. — The names of non-anatomic objects are 

 transferred to parts having some real or fancied resemblance 

 thereto; e.g., pons, insula, thalamus, falx. 



Metaphoric Diminutives. — Since many parts are smaller than 

 the more familiar objects whose names have been transferred 

 to them, the diminutive form is sometimes used; e.g., vallicula 

 (from vallis), fasciculus (from fascis), colliculus (from collis), 

 clavicula (from clavis). Since, however, size is so variable and 

 unessential an attribute, and since verbal diminutives are com- 

 monly longer than their originals, the latter might as well be 

 employed. But this suggestion would not apply to a case 

 where there are two of a general sort differing mainly in size; 

 e.g., cerebrum and cerebellum; falx {falx cerebri), falcula {falx 



cerebelli). 



Polychrcstic Word. — One that does duty in many connec- 

 tions; e.g., occipitalis, which in various combinations aids in 

 designating at least twenty-five different parts. 



Homonym. — A name applied to two or more different parts; 

 an ambiguous term. An extreme case is that of os as signifying 



1 With any series extending lengthwise of the vertebrate body the member 

 nearest the head is regarded as first. The only instance known to me of disre- 

 gard of this conventional assignment is the enumeration of the segments of the 

 brain in the schema of Professor His, as adopted by the German Committee. 



