11G F. Stoliczka — On the Passalida. [May, 



No generic name should exceed five syllables. 



This system would of course answer admirably if we could calculate ma- 

 thematically the number of existing genera and species, or if our science were 

 concluded and not undergoing a constant change ; but as these conditions do 

 not obtain, it is not likely that the system will find many supporters. Still the 

 suo-crestion has thrown been out, and discussion on the subject has been in- 

 vited, because it is a very important one, and because the want of regulating 

 our nomenclature in some way or other is generally felt. 



Mr. Phear did not pretend fully to apprehend Kaup's system, but he 

 would ask Dr. Stoliczka, whether the method of separating species by re- 

 ference to three cardinal characteristics each taken out of a set of five, did 

 not of itself immediately lead to the grouping of species also in sets of five. 

 Each single set of five species might of course be defined as constituting a 

 genus ; or a definition of genus might be made in reference to the same cha- 

 racters such as would lead to the like result. But he confessed that he 

 could not understand how in any other than some such way as this, any 

 principle of arrangement deserving to be called a natural principle could 

 bring about such very artificial looking classes, as Dr. Stoliczka mentioned. 



In reply to Mr. Phear's observation Dr. Stoliczka stated that the num- 

 ber five selected by Dr. Kaup is, according to him, by no means arbitrary. 

 It is dictated by the five anatomical systems, etc.. Any other larger or small- 

 er number would of course not suit the theory. The classificatory number 

 five is an old one, chiefly introduced by Oken, and Swainson used it in Or- 

 nithology. As regards the second point, Kaup's answer is decided. He 

 says, for instance, that anybody who has thoroughly understood his reason- 

 ing, will see that a larger form of Passahdo; than Proculus Joryh cannot 

 exist. In the same way he states that a sixth species in the same genus can- 

 not exist, if it be really a good species, and not a variety of either of the other 

 five. Should anybody find a sixth species in one genus, and should there be no 

 mistake in the generic definition itself, the system would of course be in- 

 validated. Kaup says that he would be the first to give it up, if really con- 

 vinced of the fact. The system itself, of course, requires improvements, pro- 

 bably alterations in the minor arrangement, which may be suggested by the 

 discovery of new species. There can be no doubt, Dr. Stoliczka said, that 

 Kaup's definitions of the genera and species are on the whole wonderfully 

 correct. It is very difficult to find a single mistake, and if anybody come 

 to the conclusion that he has discovered one, he will do well to revise his 

 materials repeatedly, before he puts forth his statement as final. Dr. Stoliczka 

 said he was speaking from experience in throwing out this suggestion. 



Mr. Blanford said that from Dr. Stoliczka's account of Dr. Kaup's 

 theory, it appeared to him to be a retrograde attempt. " The great value 

 of Darwin's theory is, that it had rendered Natural History a Science of causes 



