DETERMINATION OF GENERIC TYPES, ETC. 21 



Linnaeus would fare. The first species of Phoca was the fur seal, the first species of 

 Mustela the sea otter, the first of Mus the guinea pig, and the first of Cervus was the 

 giraffe. These are sufficient to show what incongruities would flow from the adoption 

 of the rule. 



DURRANT, 1898. 



An exceedingly interesting and important correspondence on the 

 subject of "Nomenclature of Lepidoptera: Correspondence relating 

 to questions circulated by Sir George F. Hampson, Bart.," was pub- 

 lished by Durrant in 1898. Opinions are cited from Prof. Scudder, 

 Prof. Fernald, Prof. J. B. Smith, Dr. Standinger, Herr P. C. T. 

 Snellen, Prof. Aurivillius, Prof. A. R. Grote, Lord Walsingham, E. 

 Meyrick, esq., W. F. Kirby, esq., and Sir G. F. Hainpson. 



Of these, Snellen stood alone in totally rejecting the system of 

 generic types. The following is an analysis of the replies of the other 

 ten men: 



1. The type of a genus must be a species originally included in it by its founder. 

 (Adopted by all ten men. ) 



2. The type must conform to the original description of the genus (a species 

 excluded by the description can not be the type). (Adopted by all ten.) 



2 A. Unless direct error of observation can be inferred. (Meyrick and Kirby.) 

 2n. And to the meaning (if any) of the generic name. (Meyrick, Kirby, Hampson, 

 Walsingham. ) 



3. That a species included with doubt can not be type. (Walsingham, Grote, 

 Kirby.) 



4. That a name included (without the species being known to the founder) can not 

 establish any claim to the recognition of the species as a possible type. (Adopted by 

 Hampson, Walsingham, and Smith; apparently opposed by Kirby.) 



5. The first species, or the first species agreeing with the description to be consid- 

 ered the type. (Adopted by Hampson and Standinger; opposed by other eight.) 



6. Subsequent citation or restrictions must be accepted in chronological sequence: 



GA. If they are not at variance with the original intention of the author. (Wal- 

 singham, Meyrick, Kirby, Fernald, Smith, Scudder, Grote, apparently Standinger.) 



GB. Disregarding the supposed intentions of the author but not any clear or evident 

 intention. (Grote. ) 



6c. Providing that the subsequent author expressly fixed the type or intentionally 

 divided the genus and that he retained the old name for one part; the effect of 

 omission of species from merely faunistic works to be ignored. (Aurivillius. ) 



GD. A species subsequently removed by the founder to another genus ceases to be 

 a type of the original genus. (Walsingham. ) 



7. When the historical method has been exhausted thespecies (or group of species) 

 which agrees best with the description should be regarded as typical. ( Walsingham, 

 Meyrick, Fernald, Smith, Aurivillius.) 



7 A. But if all equally agree the type may be fixed at discretion. (Meyrick, Wal- 

 singham, Smith. ) 



7Aa. But would assume the type to be a species from the author's own country, 

 the one with which he seems to be most familiar, and if the preparatory stages are 

 mentioned should assume the commonest species (as the one with which he was 

 likely to have the greatest acquaintance) to be the type. (Smith.) 



?B. If all agree equally well the first species is the type. (Fernald, Kirby.) 



7c. If two or more agree better than the remainder, the first of those that do agree 

 is the type. (Fernald, Kirby. ) 



