THE APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN GENERIC NAMES 



OFODONATA. 



By Richard A. Muttkowski. 



i. Agrion versus Calopteryx. 



Kirby's reversion of Agrion to C 'alopteryx and the renaming of 

 the other (=Coenagrion) were not uniformly accepted by Odona- 

 tologists. In fact, but three authors besides Kirby took cogni- 

 sance of the change at all for. systematic use, although it had 

 caused considerable discussion and protest in the years following 

 the publication of Kirby's work (Synonymic Catalogue of Neu- 

 roptera Odonata, London 1890. 



Kirby's change was based on Latreille (Histoire naturelle, 

 generale et particuliere des Crustaces et des Insectes, 1805) ; so 

 Mr. Kirby very kindly informed me, at the same time citing the 

 full quotations bearing on the change. The decision of the Inter- 

 national Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (see Bulletin 

 Milwaukee Museum, 1, pp. 14. 17, 27, 65, 1910) in his favor should 

 have settled the applicability of Agrion ; but as Latreille's descrip- 

 tion is somewhat indefinite some doubt may have been had as to 

 the advisability of this decision. Further, Dr. Stiles had in one of 

 his letters to me referred to Latreille 18 10 as more pertinent and 

 decisive. My correspondence with Dr. Stiles on the matter was de- 

 layed owing to his illness, until it was too late to enter the final 

 results in my recent catalogue. I quote the opinion verbatim 

 from Dr. Stiles' letter : 



Referring- to the case of Agrion Fabricius, 177."). J would state 

 that it is now possible to give yon a definite answer without referring 

 the subject to the Commission. 



If you will consult "Science," 1910, Jan. 28, p. 150, you will And the 

 following ruling by the International Commission : 



Opinion 11. "The Designation of Genotype* by Latreille, 1810." — 

 The "Table des genres avec l'indication del'espece qui leur sert de 

 type," in Latreille's (1810) "Considerations generates, " should be ac- 

 cepted as designation of types of the genera in question. (Art. 32.) 



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