l895-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 213 



if the common or popular appellation were given in place of the 

 more technical or scientific term. 



Here I would ask : are the masses to be educated in ento- 

 mology as a science, or is entomology to be given to the public 

 as a subject, whose chief characteristics are to be recognized in 

 mythical absurdities and superstitious vagaries ? 



A species may have a popular name in one section and in 

 another be known by one different from the first, and in yet 

 another by one entirely distinct from either, and so on until we 

 find one little insect laden with a very unique assortment. Were 

 an entomologist to attempt to acquaint himself with all of them, 

 with the intention of using them as a preface to his descriptions, 

 he would undertake a task colossal in its magnitude, and one that 

 would require vast folios in print. 



Now, the simplest way out of such a confusing maze is to 

 adhere to the scientific basis of nomenclature. Let each species 

 be known by a scientific title. One with a plain and connected 

 meaning that will stand forever, and everywhere, unless it be 

 abolished in its own science, in its advancem.ent. We find in 

 several instances that a species is known by more than one 

 scientific term. But as we advance those mistakes are very 

 quickly remedied, and are less apt to occur in the future. Pro- 

 viding we should, when we are of the opinion — finding that it 

 does not correspond to such description as we have at hand — 

 that we have made a new discovery, weigh well the matter, 

 investigate thoroughly, instead of hastening to apprise the world 

 that we have unearthed something new, and finding later that it 

 was a mistake, that we had only argumented that burthen oi 

 confusion which we strive so hard to lighten. 



It is very important that we should pause, be^ure we are right 

 and then go ahead. To avoid possible confusion, let derivations 

 be in strict accord with grammatical analogy. Classify in a 

 learned language, for popular idioms are in a state of constant 

 fluctuation. Classify according to a scientific basis, the practise 

 of naming from persons who first describe should be avoided 

 wholly and entirely. 



Such a nomenclature, ought, I think, be discarded, as unbe- 

 coming the gravity of men, who should treat their science as a 

 science and not descend to childish denominations. If a man's 

 works entitled him to it, his name will be handed down to pos- 

 terity, an object of veneration and respect, without being hung 

 to an insect. If not, '' aliena optimum fr id msania'" 



