CHAPTER 2 



Principles 



PRINCIPLE 1. The essential points in nomenclature are 



(1) to aim at fixity of names; 



(2) to avoid or to reject the use of names which may cause error or 

 ambiguity or throw science into confusion. 



Next in importance is the avoidance of all useless creation of names. Other 

 considerations, such as absolute grammatical correctness, regularity, or 

 euphony of names, more or less prevailing custom, regard for persons, etc., 

 notwithstanding their undeniable importance, are relatively accessory. 



PRINCIPLE 2. In the absence of a relevant rule, or where the consequences of 

 rules are doubtful, established custom must be followed. In doubtful cases a 

 resume in which all pertinent facts are outlined should be submitted to the 

 Judicial Commission for an Opinion. 



PRINCIPLE 3. Bacteriological nomenclature and botanical nomenclature are in- 

 terdependent in the sensa that the name of a bacteiial taxon is to be rejected 

 if it is a later homonym of the name of any plant taxon. Likewise, nomen- 

 clature of bacteria and protozoa are interdependent: the name of a bacterial 

 taxon is to be rejected if it is a later homonym of the name of a protozoan 

 faxon. Bacteriological nomenclature is independent of zoological nomen- 

 clature (protozoology excepted): the name of a bacterial taxon is not to be 

 rejected simply because it is identical with the name of a taxon in the 

 animal kingdom. 



ANNOTATIONS 



Principle 1. This principle is similar in phraseology to the state- 

 ment in the Preamble of the Botanical Code. It is basic to the in- 

 terpretation of the rules of nomenclature. 



The corresponding statement of the Zoological Rules is: 



A primary purpose is to insure the stability and universal acceptance 



of names. 



[9] 



