NOTES ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF SCYMNUS OR 

 SCYMNORHINUS, A GENUS OF SHARKS. 



Bv TiiKODOKE Gill, LL. D. 



The shark genus generally known under the name Scymnns can 

 not retain that name. To show why it can not and what shonld be its 

 substitute is the object of the present communication. 



The name IScymnus was given to the genus of sliarks by Cuvier in 

 1817; the same name had been given by Kugelmann in 1794 to a genus 

 of coccinelloid beetles, and is still in use, the insect genus now com- 

 prising very numerous species. Therefore, the use of the appellation 

 in ichthyology is precluded. Several names are available as substitutes. 



II. 



In ISIO Rafinesque gave the name Balatias to a genus distingnished 

 from his fSqnalus {Acanthias) by the alleged absence of spiracles. Our 

 knowledge of the Mediterranean fauna and Rafinesque's descriptions 

 otherwise enable us to identify the two species which he refers to 

 Balatias and to assume that the spiracles must have been present in 

 both of them. The I), sparophagus was a Scymnus; the D. nociurnus 

 a typical Squalus. Balatias of Rafinesque was, therefore, a synonym 

 of Squalus of Rafinesque, and the result of a blunder and failure of 

 observation, 



III. 



In 1839 Swaiuson adopted the genus ^^ Balatias, Raf"' but limited it 

 to B. nocturnus, incorporating with the generic diagnosis, chara(;ters 

 derived from the specific diagnosis given by Ratiuescjue (furnished with 

 anterior spines, etc.) of B. nocturnus. 



IV. 



In 181:0 Bonaparte first substituted for the name Scymnus the new 

 term Scymnorlmius, doubtless for the reason that he had ascertained 

 that the coleopterous genus had received the former name before the 

 selachian. 



Proceedings of the United States National Museum, Vol. XVIII— No. 1053. 



191 



