On the Nomenclature of Huropean Helices. 325 
independence, and after five days from their first exit the 
parent fish treated them as though the time had come for 
them to look after themselves; and soon after he took no 
further trouble with them, except in the way of fighting any 
supposed enemy that was introduced into the tank. 
‘‘T may add that I have since observed other fish, with the 
same result: I mean, of course, other Chromides.”’ 
XLITI.—The Nomenclature of Huropean Helices. 
By Henry A. Piussry, Se.D. 
PERSONS acquainted with the literature of EKuropean land- 
snails are aware that during the last century an almost 
incredible number of generic and subgeneric names were 
bestowed upon the Helices. Up to this time hardly two 
authors can be found who use the same set of generic names 
for these mollusks, save perhaps those who adhere to 
Lamarckian simplicity. 
When writing my book upon Helices*, I found that there 
was no standard or established classification or nomenclature ; 
and while the formulation of a new and, I believe, phylo- 
genetic classification was what chiefly interested me, I 
thought it also essential that the nomenclature be placed 
upon a secure basis. My results, so far as classification is 
concerned, have met with some approval from those best 
qualified to judge; but various protests have been made 
against the changes in generic nomenclature. The appear- 
ance of a criticism of some seventeen pages’ length, from the 
pen of the well-known German conchologist Dr. O. von Mél- 
lendorff f, calls for the reply which I have not felt needful in 
the case of less conspicuous criticisms. Controversy over 
names is a notoriously barren employment. 
Dr. v. Mollendorff rightly reports that in bringing together 
a number of old sectional and group names under a single 
generic head, I have selected for such generic name that of 
the oldest-published group involved, This principle, he goes 
on to say, is in his opinion to be discarded (1a) if the oldest 
group-name is based upon an extreme form of the genus, in 
which case he would select a later name for the genus, and 
one based upon a species of medium development for the 
* “Guide to the Study of Helices,” Manual of Conchology, (2) ix. 
(1894). 
+ “Ueber einige Nomenclaturfragen,” in Nachrbl. d. D. malak, 
Gesellsch., December 1900, pp. 161-178. 
Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 7. Vol. viii. 23 
