opinion that this name, on the score of priority, should 
give place to another. The question would be of little 
moment did it merely concern this group; but involving, as 
it does, the entire nomenclature of two systems, it becomes 
a matter of some importance to ascertain their respective 
claims. The period of typographic publication, as con- 
nected with the only process by which knowledge can be 
universally communicated, is the only criterion, in our 
opinion, by which such claims should be decided. Dates, 
if truly affived, speak for themselves. But to attain this 
advantage, no surreptitious or disreputable practices can be 
allowed. A plausible claim may indeed be made by any 
author, who hastily puts together an essay or pamphlet, 
for the sole purpose of anticipating the patient labours 
of another : but such artifices, when discovered, are sure to 
be discountenanced by honourable minds. ‘To illustrate 
our meaning better, we will state a case. 
Let us suppose, then, a learned Naturalist, in charge of 
a public museum, is engaged in a general classification of 
the animal kingdom: that to the type of each group, as 
progressively defined, he affixes a label, with the proposed 
name, and returns it again to the public rooms. Let us 
further suppose that an Ornithologist, wishing to make a 
new system, but without any materials for so doing, goes 
to this museum, selects, as they are successively named, 
these identical types for his examination, well knowing 
by whom, and for what purpose they are so named. He 
then goes home, and publishes, with all expedition, an ill- 
digested pamphlet, wherein every group appears under 
a name, totally different from that by which he became 
acquainted with it. 
It is not for us to make the application. But that such 
practices have been resorted to, is well known among the 
highest scientific authorities in Paris. It is not so much 
in justice to a distinguished individual, as our respect for 
the broad principles of truth and honour, that we have said 
thus much. These are grave charges, but they are not 
lightly brought forward. Resting, as they do, on testimony 
the most unquestionable, we should deem it almost insulting 
to our countrymen could we suppose they will hencefor- 
ward, by adopting these names, countenance a claim built 
en such a fraudulent basis. 
Our views of the natural situation of this group, must be 
reserved for the next number. 
