A discussion of certain questious of nomenclature, as applied to parasites. 131 



thetical case: X, 1850 genus, with alba as type; Y, 1875 genus, with 

 typica as type. Assume species alba and typica to be congeneric, Y 

 drops into generic synonymy leaving the combinations : 

 X alba (alba original type, 

 X typica (but tyjyica is not type of X). 



An actual example of this combination of circumstances is found 

 in Conocephalus typicus, now Ascaris typica^ yet A. lumbricoides is 

 type of Ascaris. 



The use of the word typica in nomenclature is always calculated 

 to lead into error and confusion, and hence should be strenuously 

 avoided, but when once introduced it is, of course, subject to the same 

 rulings as other names. 



14. Is there any disgrace connected with synonyms? 



This may seem a very stränge question to ask, yet it is not in- 

 frequent that we read very sarcastic remarks in articles with reference 

 to names "which eventually fall into synonymy, their proposers being 

 referred to in a manner which would lead one to believe that they 

 had committed a crime and were in disgrace. They are contemptu- 

 ously referred to as "species manufacturers," etc. While it is to be 

 regretted that scientific men are occasionally so im moderate in their 

 reference to work published by their colleagues, and while such 

 language usually impresses the reader with a greater respect for the 

 person attacked than for the attacking author, it is not illegitimate 

 to discuss the point here. 



EvERMANN, in a recent scientific discussion in the Washington 

 Biologie Society, very aptly remarked that, from a practical stand- 

 point, genera and species are nothing more nor less than "pigeon holes" 

 for the Classification of our knowledge regarding given animals and 

 plants; to-day our knowledge of any given form may lead us to give 

 it a separate "pigeon hole"; to-morrow additional Information may 

 lead US to unite two "pigeon holes" and as a result one name falls as 

 a synonym. Viewed from this Standpoint, synonyms are a natural result 

 «f our increased knowledge, hence are natural accompaniments of the 

 evolution in the Classification of any group. 



There can be no doubt regarding the validity of the position of 

 this eminent ichthyologist on this point, and it would be well for us 

 helmin thologists to bear his remarks in mind. Evermann did not, how- 

 ever, refer to the wanton, unnecessary, and unjustifiable changes of 

 names of which some authors have been guilty — whereby recognizing 



