INTRODUCTION 



Unfortunate as it is, the "English method" 

 of pronouncing Latin is used, both in this country 

 and in England, by most biologists, in the pro- 

 nunciation of biological names cast in Latin form. 

 According to this system the vowels are given their 

 customary English sounds as are the consonants, 

 except that ch is pronounced as k; c, g, and gg are 

 usually soft before e, i, y, and the diphthongs ae 

 and oe. The usual Latin rules of accentuation are 

 observed. 



The use of the "English method" of pronuncia- 

 tion goes back to the period when this method was 

 used in the English Law Courts. Later it was 

 widely taught in English and American schools. 

 More recently it has been superseded by the "Con- 

 tinental method," which is now used exclusively 

 in the secondary schools and colleges of the LInited 

 States and many parts of Europe. 



Since there are those who may prefer to pro- 

 nounce words in accordance with the Continental 

 or Roman method the following explanation of 

 diacritical marks and sounds of consonants and 

 diphthongs will be useful: 



IX 



