4 Frederic E. Clements 



Greek and Late Latin, as well as those of many preclassic au- 

 thors in both languages, have little value for the nomenclator. 

 Classic Greek and Latin only can be fully satisfactory, since 

 they are not merely the best Greek and Latin obtainable, but, 

 also, because they present the best conditions for securing es- 

 sential uniformity. Again, it should be clearly understood that 

 classic Greek and Latin are not necessarily the Greek and Latin 

 of the extreme purist. 



II. 



A name or term is invalid unless constructed according to the principles of 

 word formation in classic Greek or Latin ; alternatives are to be reduced to a 

 uniform basis. Retroactively, all terms improperly constructed shall be cor- 

 rected, except in the case of words of uncertain or unknown etymology, when 

 no correction shall be made if any proper Greek or Latin construction will give 

 such a word, with a possible meaning. 



"Nomina generica ab uno vocabulo . ''.,..' fracto altera in- 

 tegra composita Botanicis indigna sunt." Critica Botanica 29 



1737- 



"Nomina generica ex duobus latinis vocabulis integris et con- 

 junctis vix toleranda sunt." Ibid., 26. 



This rule finds its warrant in the fact that uniformity is a 

 first requisite of nomenclature as purity is of linguistics. A 

 malformation is not only unpleasant as well as incorrect philo- 

 logically, but it is also extremely unfortunate by reason of the 

 complications which it introduces into nomenclature. The philol- 

 ogist is satisfied only with most skilful handling of derivatives 

 that is possible. He will no more be guilty of a malformation 

 or a hybrid than the true scientist will be capable of a bit of 

 superficial or bungling work. The latter must then learn to 

 look upon linguistic matters with the same conscientiousness that 

 he uses in scientific investigation. Ultimately, however, he must 

 be prepared to go farther than the philologist even, for the sake 

 of uniformity. The latter is chiefly concerned with the devel- 

 opment of a language, or group of languages, and with him 

 slightly different or alternative forms are of advantage rather 

 than a source of difficulty. In science, where the form and ap- 



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