Rules fm- Rendering the Nomenclature of Zoology Uniform. 353 



pie, and ought not therefore in any instance to supersede the binomial 

 designations imposed by Linnseus. 



The same reasons apply also to generic names. Linnseus was the 

 first to attach a definite value to genera, and to give them a systematic 

 character by means of exact definitions ; and, therefore, although the 

 names used by previous authors may often be applied with propriet^- 

 to modern genera, yet in such cases they acquire a new meaning, and 

 should be quoted on the authority of the first person who used them hi 

 this secondary sense. It is true that several of the old authors made 

 occasional approaches to the Linnsean exactness of generic definition, 

 but still these were but partial attempts ; and it is certain that if in our 

 rectification of the binomial nomenclature we once trace back our 

 authorities into the obscurity which preceded the epoch of its founda- 

 tion, we shall find no resting place or fixed boundary for our researches. 

 The nomenclature of Kay is chiefly derived from that of Gesner and 

 Aldrovandus, and from these authors we might proceed backward to 

 ^lian, Pliny, and Aristotle, till our zoological studies would be frit- 

 tered away amid the refinements of classical learning. 



We therefore recommend the adoption of the following proposition : 



§ 2. The binomial nomenclature having originated Avith Linuteus, 

 the law of priority, in respect of that nomenclature, is not to extend to 

 the writings of antecedent authors. 



[It should be here explained, that Brisson, who was a contemporary 

 of Linnseus, and acquainted with the " Systema Naturae," defined and 

 published certain genera of birds, which are additional to those in the 

 12th edition of Linnaeus' Avork, and which are therefore of perfectly 

 ffood authoritv. But Brisson still adhered to the old mode of designa- 

 ting species by a sentence instead of a word, and therefore, while we 

 retain his defined genera, we do not extend the same indulgence to 

 the titles of his species, even when the latter are accidentally binomial 

 in form. For instance, the Ferdix rnbra of Brisson is the Tetrce riifu.< 

 of Linnaeus ; therefore, as we in this case retain the generic name of 

 Brisson and the specific name of Linnaeus, the correct title of the 

 species would be Perdiv rufa.'] 



Generic names not to be canceled in subsequent subdivisions. — As tlu' 

 number of known species which form the ground work of zoological 

 science is always increasing, and our knowledge of their structure 

 becomes more complete, fresh generalizations continually occur to the 

 naturalist, and the number of genera and other groups requiring 

 appellations is ever becoming more extensive. It thus becomes neces- 

 sary to subdivide the contents of old groups, and to make their defini- 

 tions continually more restricted. In carrying out this process, it is an 



