THE ANNALS 
MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
[THIRD SERIES. | 
No. 118. OCTOBER 1867. 
— 
XXIX.—On the Classification of the Subdivisions of M‘Coy’s 
Genus Athyris, as determined by the laws of Zoological Nomen- 
clature. By HE. Briuines, Paleontologist of the Geological 
Survey of Canada*. 
[Read before the Nat. Hist. Soc., Montreal, March 25, 1867.] 
Every naturalist who has studied the paleozoic Brachiopoda is 
aware that there exists a very great diversity of opinion with re- 
gard to the classification of the several sections into which the 
old genus Athyris has been divided. The arrangement which I 
and some others have adopted is, in substance, the same as that 
proposed by Mr. Davidson in the first edition of his ‘ General 
Introduction, published in 1853}. Although this has been 
* From ‘Silliman’s American Journal,’ July 1867. 
+ After the reading of this paper, the subject was discussed by some of 
the members of the Society. The following is from a short report 
published in the newspapers at Montreal :—‘‘ After the paper was read, 
Dr. P. P. Carpenter said that he thought that Mr. Billings had clearly 
established his pomt, and gave an account of the history of a committee 
appointed by the British Association to make laws to regulate scientific 
nomenclature, of which committee he was a member. Mr. Whiteaves 
stated that he was satisfied with the correctness of the view Mr. Billings 
had taken, and made some remarks about scientific nomenclature and 
upon some structural points in the shells of the genus in question. Prin- 
cipal Dawson deplored the confusion that has arisen through conflicting 
views on the question of nomenclature, and, agreeing with Mr. Billings in 
the conclusion he had come to, said that this communication was valuable 
inasmuch as it cleared up a question that had hitherto been obscure.” 
~~ Modified by separating Merista, thus :— 
Genus. Type. 
Athyris, M‘Coy, 1844 ..... svbdins A. tumida, Dalman. 
Spirigera, D’Orbigny, 1847 ...... S. concentrica, Von Buch. . 
Merista, Suess, 1851......cce...00. M. Herculea, Barrande. 
' The recent classification differs from the above as follows :— 
Meristella, Hall, 1860 ............ A. tumida. 
Athyris or Spirigera......cesseces. S. concentrica. 
MI ohio i iiess betadiincecievens M. Herculea. 
According to this, either Athyris or Spirigera must be suppressed, in 
order to make room for Meristella. 
Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 3. Vol. xx. 16 
