120 CLASSIFICATION OF FISSION-FUNGI. 



4. As designations for species many authors have used, 

 instead of one adjective or substantive, a plurality of ad- 

 jectives, evidently with the object of furnishing a descrip- 

 tion through the name: Bac. rosettaceus metalloides, 

 Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, Bacillus pyogenes fceti- 

 dus, Bacillus mesentericus panis viscosi i and n. This 

 effort can be understood, but it has been abandoned as 

 entirely impractical by all descriptive naturalists since 

 Linne. The name of the species should indicate only the 

 variety unequivocally; the characterization belongs to the 

 description. It does no harm if two or more organisms 

 possess names that mean the same, if they do not sound 

 alike. Besides, a Micrococcus albus, also a Micr. niveus, 

 albissimus, candicans, and purus are entirely right; the 

 description must give more exactly the kind of differences 

 existing between these white cocci. 



5. Improperly (i, <?., contrary to the binomial rule) 

 formed names may be replaced. We have done this with 

 the greatest consideration for the existing name whenever 

 possible. l We have not changed names like Bac. acidi 

 lactici, because acidum lacticum represents a single idea, 

 and names like Sempervivum Regina? Amaliae, Pedicularis 

 Friderici Augusti, Trigonella Fcenum grrecum, Pedicularis 

 Sceptrum carolinum have remained, although certainly not 

 convenient, still uncontested. Varieties which we have not 

 studied more closely or which in our opinion should be 

 suppressed, have not been renamed; on the contrary, Mez 

 has conducted this renaming in the widest extent in a 

 most acceptable manner. 



6. If names are properly formed in the binomial man- 

 ner and correctly published, then they must not be changed 

 by the author himself, much less by others, even if subse- 

 quently another name appears better. Also, the reason 

 that the name is philologically incorrect or not beautiful 

 gives no occasion for change. Even if, for example, it was 



1 We regret that we had to do this also in the case of a number of 

 convenient and very familiar names; for example, those of Flii^e. 

 Unfortunately, also, Kruse has formed a large number of new names 

 contrary to rule. Our names have the priority over his, because pub- 

 lished about two months earlier, but they are to be preferred besides, 

 in so far as Kruse's are formed contrary to rule. 



