1910] Melander — The Genus Tachjdromia 45 



have been in use from the date of their proposal, many of them were 

 without designated types for half a century." "Apparently each case 

 should be dealt with solely on its own merits." 



15. F. N. Balch, Science, xxix. 998, June 25, 1909. 



In a paper, "A Lawyer on the Nomenclature Question" Mr. Balch 

 advocates an International Court with absolute power to settle every- 

 thing nomenclatorial. The priority rule was not intended to be the 

 superstition and incubus it has become. "Questions of nomenclature 

 are of utterly insignificant importance so only that they be settled one 

 way or the other, quickly, definitely, and permanently." 



16. F. A. Bather, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) iv. 37-42, July, 1909. 



In an article "Soma Common Crinoid Names and the Fixation of 

 Nomenclature," Dr. Bather advocates the establishment of a court of 

 nomenclature. 



17. Wm. H. Dall, Science, xxx. 149, July 30, 1909. 



Most questions of nomenclature can be answered by a serious study of 

 the Code. For the few other cases he advocates giving the Committee 

 power of decision. 



18. A. N. Caudell, Science, xxx. 210, August 13, 1909. 



" How can we get a type for a genus where there were no species origi- 

 nally included?" 



19. F. A. Bather, Science, xxx. 341, Sept. 10, 1909. 



Advocates a Court for the two cases, first, where the application of the 

 Code is obscure, and second, where its application is clear, but the 

 consequences at the same time would be exceedingly unfortunate. 



20. J. A. Allen, Science, xxx. 365, Sept. 17, 1909. 



"The only point is whether they are good genera or bad genera — in 

 other words whether they are identifiable or unidentifiable from the 

 basis furnished by the original founder." 



21. J. Dwight, Jr. Science, xxx. 526. Oct. 15, 1909. 



"Zoological nomenclature to-day seems to be little more than an 

 intricate game of names, fascinating sport for its faithful devotees, 

 but an intolerable nuisance for the uninitiated many." "Priority is 

 rather a bog from which the nomenclatorial muck-rakers exhume the 

 fossil remains of a past age." "It is not justice for the dead zoologist 

 that we need so much as justice for the living, and even now the dead 

 get no recognition if they violate the rules of a game unknown in their 

 day." 



22. A. S. Hitchcock, Science, xxx. 597, Oct. 29, 1909. 



Believes it impractical for a committee to prepare a list of names that 

 will be stable, because of the changing state of biological knowledge. 



23. J. A. Allen, Science, xxx. 596, October 29, 1909. 



Proposes the , following recommendation for the International Com- 

 mittee. "A generic name proposed without mention of any described 

 species is invalid unless it is accompanied by a diagnosis of such a 

 character as to indicate that it is based on a previously known species, 

 or group of species, that can be unequivocally identified as the basis 

 of the diagnosis." 



