1911] Composition of Taxonomic Papers 195 



To say that nothing at all has been published on the present 

 issues would invite criticism. On the contrary, I have found 

 copious and more than sufficient material in the more prominent 

 journals of the past two decades. But these contributions are 

 widely scattered; moreover, they are written as protests and 

 usually deal with a single topic only. While I cannot lay claim 

 to originality in the suggestions included in this paper, I have 

 endeavored to treat all of the more vital topics bound up with 

 taxonomy ; aiming to suggest such standards in writing as would 

 conform to the various needs of those interested. 



Briefly stated, a standard is the result of an average or con- 

 sensus of opinions upon a given subject, hence a criterion. 

 Thus far the only criterion of any worker has been the approval 

 of his fellow- workers along the special line of work he has adopt- 

 ed. This basis is hardly sufficient, as not a small coterie of 

 workers but the world at large is intended to be benefited. 



It must be remembered that this paper does not treat of 

 criterions of species, but with the composition of descriptions 

 and general methods of presentation. That these are perfect 

 and above reproach probably none will maintain. 



I have talked over these matters repeatedly with scientific 

 workers. Curious to say, dissatisfaction with present methods 

 and with the absence of definite standards was prevalent every- 

 where. The necessity of co-operation toward the achievement 

 of practical standards was sometimes very strongly expressed. 

 A digest of all these opinions, private or published, may be 

 summed up in the following: Better methods of description are 

 desirable; the nomenclature of species and genera, of colors and 

 types to be regulated; titles of articles to be made more com- 

 prehensive; reprints to contain place, time and name of publi- 

 cation, etc. 



I. Standards for Descriptions. 



A. Specific Description. — J s , an unencumbered species: Front 



pale, palpi scaled, thorax with black stripes, antennae yellowish, abdomen spot- 

 ted, legs with pale, wings with black markings. Head with short pile, abdomen 

 tufted, a small tuft between the antennae, which are fuscous at the base, white 

 toward the tips. Wings white, with four or seven black lines crossing them, 

 the lines curved or straight. Abdomen with tufts black, exceeding anal angle. 

 Legs long, with spurs. Palpi reaching the vertex, legs slightly darker at the joints. 



I dare say, that no living man could determine a specimen 

 from this extravaganza. Yet the description is made from an 

 actual species — Conchylodes platinalis, Lepidoptera-Pyralidae. 



