RULES OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE. 41 



use the term Tyrannus ; and Tyrannus crinitus, Yieill., is equally incorrect, 

 for Vieillot did not adopt the name crinitus. If we call it Tyrannus crinitus, 

 Sw., it would imply that Swainson was the first to describe the species, and 

 Linnaeus would be robbed of his due credit. If we term it Tyrannus, Vieill., 

 crinitus, Linn., we use a form which, though expressing the facts correctly, 

 and therefore not without advantage in particular cases where great exact- 

 ness is required, is yet too lengthy and inconvenient to be used with ease and 

 rapidity. Of the three persons concerned with the construction of a bino- 

 mial title in the case before us, we conceive that the author who first 

 describes and names a species which forms the groundwork of later gene- 

 ralizations, possesses a higher claim to have his name recorded than he who 

 afterwards defines a genus which is found to embrace that species, or who 

 may be the mere accidental means of bringing the generic and specific names 

 into contact. By giving the authority for the specific name in preference to 

 all others, the inquirer is referred directly to the original description, habitat, 

 &c, of the species, and is at the same time reminded of the date of its dis- 

 covery ; while genera, being less numerous than species, may be carried in 

 the memory, or referred to in systematic works without the necessity of per- 

 petually quoting their authorities. The most simple mode then for ordinary 

 use seems to be, to append to the original authority for the species, when not 

 applying to the genus also, some distinctive mark implying an exclusive re- 

 ference to the specific name, as Tyrannus crinitus (Linn.), and to omit this 

 expression when the same authority attaches to both genus and species, as 

 Ostrea edulis, Linn. Therefore, 



§ C. It is recommended that the authority for a specific name, when not 

 applying to the generic name also, should be expressed thus, (Linn.), as Tyran- 

 nus crinitus (Linn.). 



[Neiv genera and species to be defined amply and publicly.] 



A large proportion of the complicated mass of synonyms which has now 

 become the opprobrium of zoology, has originated either from the slovenly 

 and imperfect manner in which species and groups have been originally de- 

 fined, or from their definitions having been inserted in obscure local publica- 

 tions which have never obtained an extensive circulation. Therefore, 

 although under § 12 we have conceded that mere insertion in a printed 

 book is sufficient for publication, yet we would strongly advise the authors of 

 new groups always to give, in the first instance, a full and accurate defini- 

 tion of their characters, and to insert the same in such periodical or other 

 works as are likely to obtain an immediate and extensive circulation. To 

 state this briefly, 



§ D. It is recommended that new genera or species be amply defined, 

 published, and extensively circulated in the first instance. 



[The names to be given to subdivisions of genera to agree in gender with 



the original. genus.~\ 



In order to preserve specific names as far as possible in an unaltered form, 

 whatever may be the changes which the genera to which they are referred 

 may undergo, it is desirable, when it can be done with propriety, to make 

 the new subdivisions of genera agree in gender with the old groups from 

 which they are formed. This recommendation does not, however, authorize 

 the changing the gender or termination of a genus already established. In 

 brief, 



§ E. It is recommended that in subdividing an old genus in future, the 



