102 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



preparation of these parts, viz., that they should never be cut and that 

 they should be mounted in profile as the natural and most effectual 

 method of both dealing with and seeing them. Thus ended a most 

 happy sojourn the reminiscence of Avhich will always be a pleasure. 

 The next morning I was off at 5.30 a.m. to meet Mr. A. H. Jones 

 at Mende in the Cevennes, where we hoped to obtain a series of 

 HirsHtina dolus. 



Nonsense Names. 



By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.E.S., F.Z.S. 



As an uncompromising supporter of priority in nomenclature, I 

 realise that a diflficult point has been raised by Mr. Kearfott's escapade. 

 I accept the doctrine of priority to this extent, that a name once given 

 stands good, that tbere must be no correction to it of any sort, and that 

 we must assume it to be good latin. If on the face of it or in view of 

 the derivation given by the author, it appears to be vile or impossible 

 latin, we must make believe that it has some derivation unknown to 

 us that makes it possible. That this view is largely accepted, is proved 

 by the abundance of k. and w. in various specific names. If a name 

 is absurd as meaning, say, a blue butterfly with black spots, we may 

 suppose, if we like, that it is the name of a chieftain somewhere in 

 remote Asia or Polynesia. The point is that any pronounceable com- 

 bination of letters stands good and unalterable. I would uphold this 

 so far, that if, to one single species in a genus, Mr. Kearfott had 

 chosen to give one of his nonsense names, I should accept and 

 uphold it. 



The key to the position seems to me to be in these nonsense names 

 being grouped together in such a way that we are compelled to extend 

 the condition against unpronounceability, and add to it the condition 

 not only that an ordinary man can pronounce the name, but that he 

 can reach the preceding stage of remembering it. 



I agree therefore in result with Mr. Meyrick and Mr. Wheeler, but 

 I do not arrive at it by the same route. I absolutely accept a nonsense 

 name, on the ground that, once given, it is no longer nonsense, but 

 means the thing to which it is given. But I cannot accept a series of 

 nonsense (or any other) names whose meanings cannot be remembered, 

 I should equally object to a series of names in one genus, meaning 

 say, first-blue, second-blue, third-blue, and so on to hundredth-blue, 

 no matter how good the latin in which this was expressed. It would 

 be as difficult to remember which two, and which of the two was 

 eleventh-blue and twelfth-blue as to remember which was bana and 

 which was inana. 



i^OLEOPTERA. 



Atheta eremita, Rye, in the south of England. — On March 22nd, 

 1911, I took a specimen of this insect in Epping Forest, Essex, from 

 sphagnum at the edge of a small pond. On February 18th, 1912, two 

 individuals were secured at Burnham Beeches, Bucks, under identical 

 conditions. This species is common in Scotland. There are, how- 

 ever, but few English records. Fowler gives Northumberland, Man- 

 chester, Birmingham, Cannock Chase, Forest of Dean. Mr. Keys has 



