On the Genrric Nomenclature of Lejndoidera : by G. R 

 Crotch, M.A., Assistant Librarian in tlie University 

 of Camliridge.* 



Notwithstanding the "Eules for Zoological Nomencla- 

 ture" sanctioned by the authority of the British Association, 

 it would not seem that any perceptible improvement has 

 taken place. The admirable paper of Mr. Kirby, which 

 recently appeared in the Journal of the Linnean Society 

 (Vol. X. p. 494), shows at least that in the diurnal Lepi- 

 doptera nothing has been done worthy the name. Mr. 

 Kirl)y, unfortunately, merely points out certain inconsis- 

 tencies without suggesting any remedies or consistent plan 

 of action. Some time ago, when I thought that a " Nonien- 

 clator Zoologicus " could be accomplished by one person, I 

 prepared chronological studies of the orders of animals, 

 with a view of verifying the dates given in Agassiz and in 

 other works. I am now more than ever convinced, that 

 only l)y building up, as it were, in this way from the 

 foundation, can a consistent Nomenclature be obtained. 

 The laws of priority are of course assented to tacitly by all, 

 but not applied. I have attempted to exhiljit this action 

 chronologically, which effectually prevents a large number 

 of errors of omission, &c., and calls immediate attention to 

 the errors that yet remain inidetected. A genus, as far as 

 I understand it, for the purposes of nomenclature, consists 

 of but one species — its type : round this Linnanis may have 

 grouped 250 species, we only two or none — the principle 

 is still the same. No genus can be considered defined until 

 a type is indicated, for characters must vary with our 

 knowledge in every case ; but when the type of a genus is 

 not indicated, J am not inclined to cut the knot by the 

 simple process of taking the first species, but to trace the 

 genus historically until it has a type given to it. The 

 application of this principle to the Lepidoptera as far as 

 the year 1816 will now be seen. It brings about no doubt 

 some startling changes ; but it appears to me that even 

 these would be better than the diversity of opinion that 

 now prevails. Let us take one of the most vexed ques- 



* Comminiicated to the Linnean Society '\^y Professor Alfred Newton, 

 F.L.S., and read on the 6th April, 1871. 



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CiSTULA ENTOMOLOCaCA, 

 January 2$, iSyi. 



