PRINCIPLES, CANONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 



19 



"The essential principles in everything which relates to nomenclature are, 

 (i) the attainment of yf.r//y in the designations for organized beings ; (2) the 

 avoidance of names or methods of applying names calculated to result in 

 errors or to throw science into confusion ; and lastly, (3) to avoid tlie un- 

 necessary creation of names." 



" No usage conflicting with the rules and liable to introduce error or con- 

 fusion can be maintained. When no grave objections of this nature are 

 liable to be raised, it may happen that an ancient usage may be conserved 

 without opposition, but all should carefully guard against the imitation or 

 extension of such practices. In the absence of a rule, or if the application 

 of the rules be doubtful, an established usage may be taken as a proper 

 guide." 



Priniciple II. Zoological nomenclature is the scientific lan- 

 guage of systematic Zoology, and vernacular names are not prop- 

 erly within its scope. 



Remarks. — " In proposing a measure for the establishment of a perma- 

 nent and universal zoological nomenclature, it must be premised that we 

 refer solely to the Latin or systematic language of zoology. We have noth- 

 ing to do with vernacular appellations. One great cause of the neglect and 

 corruption which prevails in the scientific nomenclature of zoology has been 

 the frequent and often exclusive use of vernacular names in lieu of the Latin 

 binomial designations, which form the only legitimate language of systematic 

 zoology. Let us then endeavor to render perfect the Latin or Linnaean 

 method of nomenclature, which, being far removed from the scope of 

 national vanities and modern antipathies, holds out tlie only hope of intro- 

 ducing into zoology that grand desideratum, an universal language." (Z?. 

 A. Code, 1842.) 



Principle III. Scientific names are of the Latin form or 

 language, and when deriv^ed from another language are to be 

 Latinized in form ; but names which have been used in zoologi- 

 cal nomenclature as if they were Latin words cannot be changed 

 or rejected, if they are otherwise unobjectionable. 



Remarks. — The above principle bears upon a large number of names, 

 not only specific but also generic, and seems to require extended comment, 

 especially as there is no uniformity of practice among zoologists with regard 

 to this class of names, which includes barbarisms of every kind. 



"A pernicious practice, of very old date, exists, of applying to species 

 names not only of barbarous origin, but without Latinization, and totally 

 destitute of eupliony. These are chiefly the local appellation of some savage 

 tribe for tlie organism designated. Thus, we have Hyperoodon hitzkopf Gray, 



