340 APPENDIX A. 



designation of the type-species (by following historical methods of 

 research in literature) of every generic title. By using a generic 

 title always in connection with the structural features of its type- 

 species, there is no doubt that a greater degree of accuracy will be 

 attained. As the matter stands it is often impossible to follow 

 statements in articles where generic names alone are used, for the 

 reason that it is not apparent in what sense the titles are employed. 

 The progress in lepidopterology may be roughly characterized as 

 one in an increasing acquaintance with details. More than in any 

 other department of entomology there was less attention paid to 

 these in the Lepidoptera, to which many causes contributed, and 

 the result has been that the generic nomenclature has been neg- 

 lected. So far as my very modest powers are concerned, I would 

 be glad to devote them in any way to assist the growth of a 

 uniform system of nomenclature and to co-operate with any move- 

 ment in that direction. 



P.S. In the case of family or tribal names (names having a 

 generic title as the unit), they are equally dependent upon the Rule 

 of Priority, subject to the condition that they are derived from 

 a living genus. It is not allowable, for instance, to have a Family 

 Noctuidae without a living genus Noctiia. If the genus Noctiia 

 disappears from any cause and its ascertained type receives a new 

 or different generic title, that title inherits all the rights of the 

 original and discarded Noctiia, and among them the right to form 

 all combinations for which Noctiia was employed. The reason for 

 this is, that all names must have an actual basis in a structure to 

 which reference can be made, and that in practice the individual 

 must exhibit all characters which are reflected in names." 



[Vide Grote 165. Durrant.'\ 



164. Hampson (Sir G. F.). 27 May 1897. 

 [Vide Hampson 154. Durrani?^ 



" I am afraid it is clearly impossible for Lepidopterists to arrive 

 at a consensus of opinion on nomenclature for the present, but 

 there is little doubt that it will in time be arrived at, and the best 

 way to help that is to keep to safe ground in the treatment of the 

 subject." 



165. Grote (A. R.). 10 A^^z/. 1897. 



[Vide Grote 163. Durranti\ 



" Question 9 seems to me largely superfluous. What is aimed 

 at is a consensus of opinion. No one is safe against a change of 

 mind ; I would not keep my own opinion a second longer than it 

 satisfied me. I do not think any authority exists to bind present 

 and future action, much as I should like a uniform nomenclature. 

 But the discussion will bring out the reason of the matter and this 

 we all want to get at as reasonable beings. This reason will appear 



