50 



MEDUS.€. I. 



founded by Haeckel owing to a false supposition (the presence of clubs), and because the descrip- 

 tion, therefore, is erroneous. On the other hand, the characterisation of the genus Melicerfiim^ given 

 by Agassi z on the basis of the species campajiitla^ is clear and correct. ]Moreover the genus Melicerhutt 

 Agassiz is older than Mc/iccrf/d/'/tiii Haeckel. Before we decide to release the name Melicertitm we 

 must, therefore, examine how far the use of that name may give rise to a continued confusion. 



First we must examine the fate of the different species of '■'■Mcliccrta''' and ''Mcl/cerf/iui". In 

 order to illustrate the question I have worked out the adjacent synopsis (Table V) including (first 

 column) all species of the genera Mcliccrta Peron & Lesueur and Mcliccrtiim sens// Oken and Esch- 

 scholtz. In the second column I have recorded by whom and when these generic names have been 



Table V. Synopsis of the Species of Mch'ccrfn Peron & L e s u e u r and Mcl/ccrt//iii 



Oken and Eschscholtz. 



* Used by Elircnbcri^ 1856 .inii Tliomrson 184J for M. ociocostalum Sars. 



* Used by L. Ag.issiz- 1862 ami Ki>]]ikt.-r 1864 tor M. octocoslatum Sais. 



used for the last time for tlie species in question. Finally, the last column gives the names, which are 

 now commonly used for these species. Meliccrt//m piisilh/ni Eschscholtz and Melicerta /itorchclla Les- 

 son have not later been identified. 



The application of the name of Alcl/'certtmi can/pan/tlat/zin in Ehrenberg (1836) and of 

 Melicertum p/isill//m in L. Agassiz (1862) is simply due to erroneous identifications, which are, in- 

 deed, regrettable enough, but they have done no continuous harm and are of no importance whatever 

 with regard to the question here discussed. 



When caiiipan//la is temporarily excepted, we will see, from the synopsis, that the use of the 

 names Melicerta and Mciiccrt//ui in the old meaning [sei/s// Peron & Eesueur, Oken, and Eschscholtz) 

 ceases entirely after the year 1843 (Lesson), in the case of some species even earlier, thus, in any 

 case, long before L. Agassiz used Afeliccrti/jii in a new meanino- 



When Mc/icert//in caii/paiiiila sens/i Aga^&\z still as late as in 1888 (Fewkes 1888b) is recorded 



