120 REPORT— 1842. 



[ The authority for a species, exclusive of the genus, to be followed by a di~ 

 stinctive expression.] 



The systematic names of zoology being still far from that state of fixity 

 which is the ultimate aim of the science, it is frequently necessary for correct 

 indication to append to them the name of the person on whose authority they 

 have been proposed. When the same person is authority both for the specific 

 and generic name, the case is very simple ; but when the specific name of one 

 author is annexed to the generic name of another, some difficulty occurs. 

 For example, the Muscicapa crinita of Linnaeus belongs to the modern genus 

 Tyrannies of Vieillot ; but Swainson was the first tp apply the specific name 

 of Linnaeus to the generic one of Vieillot. The question now arises, Whose 

 authority is to be quoted for the name Tyrannus crinitus? The expression 

 Tyrannus crinitus, Lin., would imply what is untrue, for Linnaeus did not use 

 the term Tyrannus ; and Tyrannus crinitus, Vieill., is equally incorrect, for 

 Vieillot did not adopt the name crinitus. If we call it Tyrannus crinitus, 

 Sw., it would imply that Swainson was the first to describe the species, and 

 Linnaeus would be robbed of his due credit. If we term it Tyrannus, Vieill., 

 crinitus, Lin., we use a form which, though expressing the facts correctly, and 

 therefore not without advantage in particular cases where great exactness is 

 required, is yet too lengthy and inconvenient to be used with ease and rapi- 

 dity. Of the three persons concerned with the construction of a binomial 

 title in the case before us, we conceive that the author who first describes 

 and names a species which forms the gi'oundwork of later generalizations, 

 possesses a higher claim to have his name recorded than he who afterwards 

 defines a genus which is found to embrace that species, or who may be the 

 mere accidental means of bringing the generic and specific names into con- 

 tact. By giving the authority for the specific name in preference to all others, 

 the inquirer is referred directly to the original description, habitat, &c. of the 

 species, and is at the same time reminded of the date of its discovery ; while 

 genera, being less numerous than species, may be carried in the memory, or 

 referred to in systematic works without the necessity of perpetually quoting 

 their authorities. The most simple mode then for ordinary use seems to be 

 to append to the original authority for the species, when not applying to the 

 genus also, some distinctive mark, such as (sp.) implying an exclusive refer- 

 ence to the specific name, as Tyrannus crinitus, Lin. (sp.), and to omit this 

 expression when the same authority attaches to both genus and species, as 

 Ostrea edulis, Lin.*' Therefore, 



§ D. It is recommended that the authority for a specific name, when 

 not applying to the generic name also, should be followed by the di- 

 stinctive expression (sp.). 



\_Neio genera and species to be defined amply and publicly.] 

 A large proportion of the complicated mass of synonyms which has now 

 become the opprobrium of zoology, has originated either from the slovenly 

 and imperfect manner in which species and groups have been originally de- 

 fined, or from their definitions having been inserted in obscure local publica- 

 tions which have never obtained an extensive circulation. Therefore, although 

 under § 12, we have conceded that mere insertion in a printed book is suffi- 

 cient for publication, yet we would strongly advise the authors of new groups 

 always to give in the first instance a full and accurate definition of their cha- 

 racters, and to insert the same in such periodical or other works as are likely 

 to obtain an immediate and extensive circulation. To state this briefly, 



* The expression Tyrannus crinitus (Lin.) would perhaps be preferable from its greater 



brevity. 



