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CODE OF NOMENCLATURE. 



It 



PRINCIPLES. CANONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 



" In venturing to propose these rules for the guidance of all classes of zoologists 

 in all countries, we disclaim any intention of dictating to men of science the course 

 which they may see fit to pursue. It must of course be always at the option of au- 

 thors to adhere to or depart from these principles, but we offer them to the candid 

 consideration of zoologists in the hope that they may lead to sufficient uniformity of 

 method in future to rescue science from becoming a mere chaos of words." — H. E. 

 Strickland, 1842. 



A. General Principles. 



Principle I. Zoological nomenclature is a means, not an 

 end, of zoological science. 



Remarks. — It is to be deplored that it is apparently necessary to raise 

 what is merely a trite truism to tlie dignity of a principle of nomenclature. 

 But it seems proper to protest in this way against any misconception that 

 the science of Zoology consists m the art of naming objects in that branch 

 of science, and also against every wanton, capricious, arbitrary, or otherwise 

 needless and undesirable change of names which have acquired current 

 usage and definite signification in Zoology. It is undeniable that a "mere 

 shuflfling of names " (A. Agassiz) is the chief outcome of much study and 

 much writintr which is mistaken for scientific research and the advancement 

 of science. 



On this score and in the same tenor may be quoted several expressions 

 from De Candolle.^ relating to some of the general principles of nomencla- 

 ture considered as a means to an end. 



" Natural History cannot progress, nor can the study of its various branches 

 be carried on and properly correlated, without a regular system in nomencla- 

 ture which shall be recognized and employed by the majority of naturalists 

 of all countries." 



" The rules for nomenclature must be impartial, and founded on motives 

 sufficiently clear and weighty to promote their general comprehension and 

 acceptance " 



1 Quoted from Dall (Rep., p. 23), not from the original. 



