26 BULLETIN 2 00, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



The oldest synonym is Poly stoma ^ which is a junior homonym and 

 which actually applies to one of the subgenera {Emplenota) . Fungi- 

 cola is the oldest name that is synonymous with Aleochara in the re- 

 stricted sense, but Copiata is the oldest objective synonym. The 

 individual synonymies of these names will be found in their place in 

 the text, where, for example, Emplenota has Polystoma listed as a 

 synonym, with a reference also to Aleochara. 



In the case of the old genus Atheta (now Ischnopoda), where there 

 are more than 150 synonyms, the names are arranged in alphabetical 

 order to facilitate finding them. The oldest synonyms are the eleven 

 names proposed in 1858 by Thomson, including Atheta. 



The old genus Zyras (previously Myrmedonia and now Bolltochara) 

 has 67 synonyms, which are again listed alphabetically for conven- 

 ience. The oldest synonyms of Bolitochara are Zyras Stephens, March 

 1835, Pella Stephens, April 1835, and Acanthoglossa and Termidonia 

 Motschulsky, 1860a. 



In all, two principal categories of synonyms are included: Sub- 

 jective synonyms (including subgenera and all senior or junior syn- 

 onyms not having the same genotype as the name in question) and 

 objective synonyms (including new names, isogenotypic synonyms, 

 and emendations). Subjective-objective synonyms are those which 

 are objective synonyms so long as the two genotype species are believed 

 to be the same; they belong in the first group, since the objectivity 

 is based on a subjective premise. 



10. EMENDATIONS 



Emendations are also listed in the synonyms. They may be defined 

 as spelling changes that were originally stated to be intentional or 

 can be demonstrated to be so in the original. They have separate 

 status and are objective synonyms of the original spelling. They are 

 available as replacement, if needed. 



11. VARIANT SPELLINGS 



Here are listed all the variations in spelling, whether original or 

 subsequent, intentional or not, typographical error or lapsus calami. 

 The lapsus calamorum are identified by the word "lapsus" in brackets. 

 Emendations are also indicated. Reference to the first use of each 

 spelling is given, but often these references are given in footnotes 

 rather than in the bibliography. When a particular emendation has 

 been independently made by more than one person, it is repeated, but 

 errors are listed only once, with the reference to the first known occur- 

 rence. In some cases a name has been respelled with no direct evi- 

 dence of intent to emend. These are listed as errors, even though a 



