168 PROGRESS IN ZOOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE xn 



idea. Those whose special gift or inclination leads them to 

 the pursuit of other branches of Biology, as Morphology, 

 Physiology, or Embryology, must have definite names for the 

 objects they observe, depict, or describe, and are dependent 

 upon the researches of the systematic zoologist for supplying 

 them, and should not neglect to take his counsel, otherwise 

 much of their work will lose its value. 



Several times has the British Association thought this 

 a worthy subject for the consideration of its members, and 

 through the instrumentality of a committee of working 

 naturalists an excellent code of regulations and suggestions on 

 the subject of zoological nomenclature was drawn up in 1842. 

 These rules were revised and reprinted in 1865 ; and in 

 accordance with a resolution adopted at the last annual 

 meeting at Plymouth they have been again republished at 

 the cost of the Association during the present year. The 

 mere issue of such rules must have had a beneficial effect, 

 as they have undoubtedly been a guide to many careful and 

 conscientious workers. Unfortunately no means exist of en- 

 forcing them upon those of a different class, but there is 

 still something wanting, short of enforcing them, which 

 possibly may be within the power of the Association to effect. 

 In the administration of the judicial affairs of a nation, 

 besides the makers of the laws, we have an equally essential 

 body to interpret or apply the law to particular cases the 

 judges. However carefully compiled or excellent a code of 

 regulations may be, dubious and difficult cases will arise, to 

 which the application of the law is not always clear, and 

 about which individual opinions will differ. The necessary 

 permission given in the Association rules to change names 

 which are either " glaringly false," or " not clearly defined/' 

 opens the door to considerable latitude of private interpretation. 

 As what we are aiming at is simply convenience and general 

 accord, and not absolute justice or truth, there are also cases 

 in which the rigid law of priority, even if it can be ascertained, 

 requires qualification, and others in which it may be advisable 

 to put up with a small error or inconvenience to avoid falling 

 into a larger one. I may name such cases as the propriety 

 or the reverse of reviving an obselete or almost unknown name 



