Bacteria and Viruses 15 



Principles 8 and 9. 



PRINCIPLE 8. The primary purpose of giving a name to a taxonomic group 

 is not to indicate the characters or the history of the group, but to supply 

 a means of referring to it. 



ANNOTATIONS 



Principle 8. The Botanical Code adds to this statement: "and to 

 indicate its general taxonomic position." 



In some cases names are long and cumbersome because an author 

 conceived it his duty to include as full a description of the taxon as 

 practicable. It is desirable, but not necessary, that names be ap- 

 propriate and descriptive. A generic name such as Deazotonitranitria- 

 zobacterium Ambroz 1913 was an attempt to indicate the fact that 

 bacteria of this genus are small rods capable of producing free nitro- 

 gen from nitrates and nitrites. The tendency to form descriptive 

 epithets, if not too long, is laudable and is definitely advised 

 (see Recommendation 6b) . But if the advice is not taken, and 

 a name (particularly a specific epithet) is given which is regarded 

 by a subsequent author as nondescriptive or even unsuitable, such 

 name is not to be changed for this reason; it still serves the useful 

 purpose of supplying "a means of referring to it." 



PRINCIPLE 9. Each order or taxon of lower rank with a given circumscription, 

 position and rank can bear only one correct name, the eailiest that is in ac- 

 cordance with this Code of Nomenclature. Provision is made for exceptions 

 that have been approved for inclusion in the list of nomine conservonda. 

 In subgenera, genera, and groups of higher rank to order inclusive, the correct 

 name is the earliest name published, provided that this is in conformity with 

 the rules of this Code. In species the correct name is the binary and in sub- 

 species the ternary combination of the generic name with the earliest available 

 legitimate epithet validly published with the same rank. 



ANNOTATIONS 



Principle 9. This principle is the basis in the Rules for Sections 1 

 (Naming of Groups of Various Ranks) , 3 (Publication of Names) , 5 

 (Changes in Names as a Result of Segregation, or Union of Taxa or 



Changes in Rank of Taxa) and 6 (Rejection and Replacement of 



Names) . 



