110 GENERAL SYSTEMATIC BACTERIOLOGY 



new species of plants (in our case, bacteria) to be recognized as valid, 

 must be published with a Latin diagnosis. From the standpoint at 

 least of the bacteriologist it would be greatly improved by the introduc- 

 tion of the type concept. Furthermore, in both botanical and zoologi- 

 cal codes there is a rule that no two genera (or other groups) can exist 

 with the same name, and that duplicate genera in plant and animal 

 kingdoms should be avoided as far as possible, but that such duplicates 

 are not invalid. In other words, two plants can not have the same 

 name, nor can two animals, but a plant and an animal may be named 

 alike. It would appear that for the sake of the microbiologist there 

 might be appended to each code the rule that in those groups whose 

 position in plant or animal kingdom is in doubt there should exist no 

 duplicate names. There is no reasonable question that the zoological 

 code is the clearer. 



In a final determination or formulation of the practice which will 

 best serve the bacteriologist, and particularly in the formulation of a 

 statement to govern practice in the present series, it will be necessary- to 

 discuss : 



a. The principles suggested by bacteriologists before the latest 

 revision of the botanical code, particularly the Rules of Nomenclature 

 suggested by Lehmann and Neumann. 



b. The Botanical Code of Vienna as modified at Brussels. 



c. The Zoological Code. 



d. The suggestions and recommendations of the Society of American 

 Bacteriologists. 



e. Suggested revision of the botanical code formulated by a com- 

 mittee of the Botanical Society of America. 



A. THE RULES OF BACTERIAL NOMENCLATURE ACCORDING TO 



LEHMANN AND NEUMANN 



Apparently the first bacteriologists to give very serious consideration 

 to rules of nomenclature governing the naming of bacteria and to the 

 formulation of such rules were Lehmann and Neumann. In general it 

 may be said that these rules conformed measurably weU to the principles 

 of the botanical code. They undoubtedly constituted a very real 

 advance over any previous statement. They are of sufficient import- 

 ance to warrant their inclusion. The translation of the rules is given in 

 smaller type. The comments are those of the author. 



1. Every plant and, therefore, every Schizomycete belongs to a species, every 

 species to a genus, and every genus to a family. 



