Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology 3 



In considering the various questions involved in the present 

 paper, the writers have endeavored to approach each case in 

 a judicial manner and under the restrictions imposed by the 

 Code. We have attempted to dismiss from our minds every- 

 thing that has been written by other writers, and without pre- 

 disposition, prejudice or bias, to consider each case solely on 

 the merits of the original description. The descriptions of 

 Lamarck are to be subjected to the same rules and have been 

 accordingly so treated. 



The references given under each form discussed do not rep- 

 resent a synonymy, but are intended to furnish a list of those 

 places in literature which in each case bear upon the question 

 in hand. 



At the inception of the work it was agreed by the authors 

 that their conclusions should be submitted to Dr. H. A. Pils- 

 br}^ for his criticism and that in all cases where they were 

 unable to agree his decision should be final and accepted by 

 the authors. Dr. Pilsbry very kindly consented to act in that 

 capacity, and the authors are under great obligations to him 

 for his interest in the project and for the large amount of 

 time that he has taken in examining the many problems that 

 were thus submitted to him. We have adopted his decisions 

 in all of the contested cases and have quoted largely from his 

 remarks upon others. As now issued^ the paper represents 

 the unanimous opinion of all three of us on questions of 

 nomenclature. 



We are also very much indebted to Dr. C. W. Stiles, of 

 Washington, D. C, Secretary of the International Commis- 

 sion, for his advice as to the proper interpretation and appli- 

 cation of the Code to several cases which arose in the progress 

 of the work. 



