THE COMPOSITION OF TAXONOMIC PAPERS. 



By Richard A. Muttkowski. 



TABLE OF CONTEXTS. 

 Introduction. 



I. Standards for Descriptions. 



A. Specific description. 



B. Redescription. 



C. Generic description. 



II. Standards for Colors. 



III. Standards of Nomenclature. 



A. Generic and specific nomenclature. 



B. Anatomical (morphological) nomenclature. 



C. Nomenclature of types. 



IV. Standards for Keys (tables) of Genera and Species. 



V. Standards for Indices. 



VI. Standards for Titles. 



VII. Standards for Reprints. 

 Conclusion. 



Taxonomy is the most important incident of Science — 

 things must be named before we can write of them. If we 

 consider the proportion of zoological papers at the present time, 

 we find that about two thirds are systematic. But this pro- 

 portion increases to seven-eighths if entomological papers 

 alone are considered. 



In taxonomy we usually speak of only two types of contri- 

 butions: (a) text books, prepared for a mixed public, and (b) 

 original work, which is intended for the entire scientific world, 

 but whose chief appeal is directed to a small group of contribu- 

 tors. These form a special class, distinct in conception and 

 treatment from other scientific papers. 



The style of composition proper in a morphological, onto- 

 genetical or phylogenetical paper would be found impracticable 

 in a taxonomic paper. Yet, while the greater number of 

 entomological papers are taxonomic, it nevertheless remains a 

 curious fact that as yet no compendium for taxonomic compo- 

 sition has been published. 



For papers other than taxonomic we have Dr. T. Clifford 

 Albutt's excellent book, "Notes on the Composition of Scien- 

 tific Papers" (MacMillan Co., New York, 1904, Svo). While 

 many of the chapters of this work would be of interest to syste- 

 matists, they do not pertain directly to taxonomy; the volume, 

 on the whole covers a quite different ground, that of scientific 

 theses. 



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