OPINIONS RENDERED BY THE INTERNATIONAL 



COMMISSION ON ZOOLOGICAL 



NOMENCLATURE 



Opinions 124 to 133 



OPINION 124 



Linnaeus, 1758, Subdivisions of Genera 



Summary. — The various Subdivisions of genera published by Linnaeus in 

 1758 are not to be accepted as of this date (1758) as of subgeneric value under 

 the International Rules. 



Statement of case. — Several zoologists have requested the Com- 

 mission to make a definite ruling in regard to the status of the sub- 

 division of genera found in Linnaeus, 17580. One case is before the 

 Commission at present (Bulla) which makes a ruling on this point 

 very desirable and at least one other case is likely to be submitted to 

 the Commission in the very near future. 



Discussion. — Considerable difference of opinion exists among zool- 

 ogists as to the status of the subdivisions of genera used by Linnaeus, 

 17580. 



On account of the situation presented, the Commission has made 

 a page by page study of the tenth edition of the " Systema Naturae " 

 and has tabulated the subdivisions into various categories. A result of 

 this tabulation shows conclusively that it is impossible to look upon 

 all these subdivisions as definitely named subgenera, and if one at- 

 tempts to grant subgeneric nomcnclatorial value to certain of these 

 categories and to deny it to others it is found to be exceedingly diffi- 

 cult, in fact impossible, to present a plan which is free from objection. 



The subject was laid before the Commission in Circular Letter 

 No. 137. series 1928, and this Circular Letter with the text of the 

 tenth edition was studied by the Commission dm'ing its meeting in 

 Padua in August and September 1930. 



As a result of this study the Commission adopted the following 

 paragraph in its Minutes for August 30, 1930: 



After a discussion of the so-called subgenera in Linnaeus, 1758a, the Secre- 

 tary was instructed to prepare an Opinion to the effect that these are not suli- 



Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol.73, No. 8 



