.52 Mr. G. R. Crotch on Coleoptera. 



Knoch, in his Neue Beytrage, defines three new genera, 

 Cremastocheilus, Chlaniys, and Sandalus. 



Brongniart, in the Bulletin cle la Societe Philomathique, 

 describes the genus Dasyccrus. 



Palisot de Beauvois, in the Magasin Encyclopediqne, 

 describes the genus Atractocerus. 



In accordance with the practice of Dr. Leconte, the 

 sign II is prefixed to the names of genera previously 

 occu])ied, and the sign f to names quoted erroneously 

 from earlier authors. 



Note. — I may refer here to a recent work of Mr, 

 Thorell's on European spiders (Nov. Act. Ups. vii. 1.), in 

 which he examines the question of nomenclature at some 

 length. He shows that the trivial name was instituted by 

 Linnieus in his PhUosophia Botanira (1751), which date he 

 accordingly recognizes ; and for genera he adopts Sunde- 

 valFs view, that the first edition of the Systema Naturce 

 (1735) must be recognized, "as being that in which for 

 tlie first time real genera are arranged and defined con- 

 sistently throughout the animal kingdom.'' In discuss- 

 ing the minor points', ho considers that a name, if sunk 

 as a synonym, does not become therefore free, but may 

 only be used for a subdivision of the same genus. He 

 admits also certain degrees of emendation of badly formed 

 names, protesting altogether against hybrids and ana- 

 grams. Altogether the paper shows that a real study of 

 nomenclature is gradually being inaugurated. 



