50 THE AMKKICAN MONTHLY [FolMuaiy, 



novice, siinplv. Init for us all, that tliis inforniation is to be con- 

 vex cil. 



We believe that the whole system of scientific naminj; is criule 

 ami un\vt>ithv of the name of science, but it is not in uur power 

 to chanjje it. The idea that anv oUl scientist or upstart student 

 of birds, fishes, reptiles, or plants may pronuilj^ate, of iiis own 

 unsupported opinion, a new species is absurd ; and that he mav 

 name his supposcillv new species ft)r some man to whom he 

 wisiies to toadv, for some friend who will return the compliment, 

 for some man. scientific or not scientific, who hajipened to run 

 upon the specimen, is perhaps worthy of a politician but not of 

 any hijjher onler of intellijjence. And then, after this " scien- 

 tist." be he beginner or even gray with years, has dubbetl his 

 species stnitliii^ /oncsit\ zt'/iittteyi, mniszcc/iii, wrs/u'oo<///\ 

 sc/iicdi'rfuaYrt\ tnacfarlauei, kcttnicottii ^ atuphishitna^ ivciss- 

 fiogii. janischii, eulctistcinii , i^riind/crii, li'mi/iciincrii, hilch- 

 cockii. kiitzi>n^it\ bchi jcckii^ etc., ad nauseam, we are asked to 

 tell the world that these words are from proper names, when in 

 truth wc think them verv improper and we wish that we could 

 discourage such iloings in the name of science. It reminds us of 

 a whiskey shop in Washington which flaunts its sign before the 

 eves of all in big letters, ••Smithsonian Restaurant," and vet it is 

 so low a den that probablv no officer of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion would enter it. It evidentlv hopes to get respectability from 

 a name, just as some scientists evitlently hope to be remembered 

 bv having their names attached to species. There are many other 

 people, and among them arc most of our contributors, who have 

 no unworthv motives in this matter. They simply follow custom 

 without feeling any aversion thereto. All we have to say of them 

 is that, being all right themselves, they have got into company 

 with others tor whom a bad system is upheld. Wc wish there- 

 fore, while speaking verv decidedly against the svstem, not to 

 make anv personal reflections nor to ofl'end the most sensitive 

 people. Wc apologize in advance to any one who is tempted to 

 tliink that he is aimed at herein. We are opposing the plan and 

 explaining why we think we ought not under any circumstances 

 to begin specific names with a cajjital. And we wish to point 

 out that our boasted science which is to control the world some 

 day has lhing.s to reform as well as religion, politics, and business. 



PKOULK.MS. 



4. Blood Stains. — What is the l)est method of resurrecting 

 blood corpuscles from blood stains and old clots? How Ijcst 

 mounted.' H. M. Y. 



