GENERIC NAMES OF THE FAMILY STAPHYLINIDAE 3 



It is not supposed that this work will bring order out of chaos. In 

 fact the number of changes necessitated by the facts here brought out 

 will undoubtedly serve to confuse for a time. Until a zoological reex- 

 amination and an adequate classification are made, there will be no 

 end to the present difficulties. Although conclusions on priority of 

 names are indicated here, these are secondary to the presentation of 

 the facts of validation. It is believed that with the facts presented, 

 these same conclusions would be reached by all workers who adhere 

 closely to the International Rules of Zoological Nomenclature. Places 

 where differences in interpretation would lead to different conclusions 

 are pointed out in discussion of each name or in the explanatory 

 remarks on genotypy and the details of style employed. 



The sole purpose of this work is to present in uniform manner the 

 facts of the establishment and subsequent use of all the names applied 

 to genera and subgenera of Staphylinidae. This involves the facts of 

 validation (author, date, place, and manner), priority, genotype fix- 

 ation, changes in spelling, direct misuse, and subsequent discussions 

 of any of these. The nomenclatural implications of these facts are 

 cited whenever possible. 



THE NAMES OF GENERA 



The technical names of genera can be divided roughly into three 

 groups. The first includes those that have not been acceptably pub- 

 lished, such as manuscript names, museum labels, and nomina nuda. 

 The second includes all the acceptably published names, whether con- 

 sidered valid or not, such as correct generic names, synonyms and 

 homonyms, and intentional emendations. The third includes pub- 

 lished names that are not accorded separate status under the Rules. 

 These may be misapplications of names, lapsus calamorum (singular 

 laj>sus calami), or misspellings. 



This classification is outlined below, and the implications of the 

 genotype principle to each category is discussed. 



CLASSIFICATION OF NAMES 



I. Names not accepted into our formal nomenclature 



A. Unprinted names 



1. Manuscript names, museum labels 



B. Printed names 

 2. Nomina nuda 



II. Names accepted into nomenclature 



C. Names currently accepted 



3. For genera 



4. For subgenera 



D. Names not currently accepted 



5. Junior homonyms 



6. Junior synonyms 



7. Emendations 



