429 



so numerous , both the application of the Law of Priority and the protests 

 against the Law increase. 



67) The Commission is distinctly gratified if its efforts have contributed 

 in even a small degree to the present increased interest in the subject. It 

 may, however, be jjei'mitted to invite attention to three phases of the present 

 status of the subject which are somewhat disquieting. 



68) 1. Intemperate language. — "Whether or not it be an actual 

 fact, appearances to that effect exist that if one author changes or corrects 

 the names used by another writer, the latter seems inclined to take the 

 change as a personal offense. The explanation of this fact (or appearance, 

 as the case may be) is not entirely clear. If one person corrects the grammar 

 of another, this action seems to be interpreted as a criticism upon the good 

 breeding or education of the latter person. Nomenclature has been called 

 >the grammar of science«, and possibly there is some in-born feeling that 

 changes in nomenclature involve a reflection upon ones education, culture, 

 and breeding. Too frequently there follows a discussion in which one or 

 the other author so far departs from the paths of diplomatic discussion, that 

 he seems to give more or less foundation to the view that there is something 

 in his culture subject to criticism. It is with distinct regret that the Com- 

 mission notices the tendency to sarcasm and intemperate language so notice- 

 able m discussions which should be not only of the most friendly nature, 

 especially since a thorough mutual understanding is so valuable to an agree- 

 ment , but which are complicated and rendered more difficult of results by 

 every little departure from those methods adopted by professional gentlemen. 



69) In the opinion of the Commission the tendency to enter into 

 public polemics over matters which educated and refined professional gentle- 

 men might so easily settle in friendly and diplomatic correspondence is 

 distinctly unfavorable to a settlement of the nomenclatorial cases for which 

 a solution is sought. It may be assumed that the vast majority of zoologists 

 agree with the Commission in desiring results rather than polemics, and 

 the Commission ventures to suggest that results may be obtained more 

 easily by the utmost consideration for the usual rules of courtesy when dis- 

 cussing the views of others. 



70) 2. Education in Nomenclature. — It may safely be asserted 

 that comparatively few zoologists upon beginning their independent profes- 

 sional career have even a general idea of the subject of nomenclature, for 

 the reason that zoological grammar (namely, zoological nomenclature) is not 

 usually taught in courses leading to the bachelor's , the master's , or the 

 doctor's degree. Without wishing to emphasize the point unduly, the Com- 

 mission ventures to suggest that it would be in the interest of harmony if 

 at least the elementary rudiments of the subject were taught more generally 

 to students preparing themselves for a career as professional zoologists. 



71) 3. The immensity of the task before us. — Despite the 

 quite generally increased interest shown in the subject of nomenclature, 

 there are some grounds for disquiet in the fact that relatively so few workers 

 seem to grasp the immensity of the task involved in introducing harmony 

 of system among so many different groups and in bringing about satisfactory 

 conditions among so many hundreds of thousands of technical names scat- 

 tered over so many different publications written or edited in so many 

 instances by workers who, despite their erudition in respect to their subject, 



