l6 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 'J2i 



OPINION 71 



Interpretation of the Expression " Typical Species " in 

 Westwood's (1840) Synopsis. 



SUMMARY. — The species cited by Westwood, 1840 (An Introduction to the 

 Modern Classification of Insects, vol. 2, Synopsis, separate pagination, pages 

 I to 158), as " typical species " are to be accepted as definite designations of 

 genotypes for the respective genera. The question whether any given species 

 under consideration represents the valid genotype or not is dependent upon two 

 points: First, whether the species was available as genotype and, second, 

 whether this designation in 1840 is antedated by some other designation. 



Statement of case. — J. C. Crawford and Chas. H. T, Townsend 

 have requested an Opinion upon the question whether the species cited 

 by Westwood (1840) in his Synopsis, and designated "Typical 

 species " are to be accepted as types of the genera in question. Dr. 

 Townsend's presentation of the case reads as follows : 



J. O. Westwood published in volume 2 of his Introduction to the Modern 

 Classification of Insects, in 1840, under the title of " Synopsis of the Genera 

 of British Insects," 158 octavo pages of generic diagnoses, including a specific 

 name with each genus. With reference to the function of this specific name, 

 we find footnote on first page stating that following data are given in first 

 line of each genus: " i. Name of the genus; 2. Name of its founder; 3. 

 Synonym of the genus ; 4. Author of the synonymical genus ; 5. Number of 

 British species; 6. Typical species; 7. Reference to the best figure." 



It is plainly evident that this " Synopsis " is entirely restricted to the British 

 species, and that the selection of the " typical species " has necessarily been 

 restricted in each case to the British fauna, thereby resulting often in a geno- 

 type that is not typical in the sense of the founder of the genus. 



Does the Commission rule that mention in this " Synopsis " of the " typical 

 species," meaning unquestionably " typical British species," constitutes a valid 

 designation of genotype? 



Westwood makes the following statement in the preface (p. vi, vol. i) to 

 his " Introduction " : 



" At the same time, in order that this work may serve as a precursor to the 

 works of Curtis, Stephens, &c., I have added a synopsis of the British genera, 

 brought down to the present time. The idea of the addition of this synopsis 

 was derived from Latreille's " Considerations Generales," in which the genera 

 are shortly characterised, and the names of the typical species given in an 

 Appendix. The additions of generic synonymes, references to generic figures, 

 and indications of the number of British species, will render the synopsis more 

 complete, although it must be evident that it can serve but as a guide to more 

 extended research." 



C H. T. T. 



