414 A Revision of the Genera of the Araner. 
an earlier page in preference to one printed on a later page, 
or a later line on the same page, can be defended simply on 
the grounds that it is an extremely useful course to adopt for 
“ »ractical purposes.” We have to select one name, why 
not select that which occurs first? It occurs first in the 
manuscript, it was first set up in type, if the question of 
priority be discussed ; but whether or not makes no difference. 
It is a simple straightforward method of settling a difficulty. 
But some people do not like simple methods ; they prefer to 
enter into labyrinthine arguments rather than settle the 
matter. Does it simplify the process of determining which 
specific name is to hold good out of three, each of which was 
applied to a variety of the same species, by asking, for in- 
stance, under which name the “ forma principalis”’ is 
described? Who will agree as to the “ forma principalis,” 
when the form which is a variety in one country may be the 
principal one in another ? 
Of course, if it be not agreed that we want to reduce these 
methods to their simplest possible terms, there is no need to 
waste time discussing the point either on this or any other 
question. 
In conclusion, I regret that pressure of other work has 
prevented me replying to Dr. Dahl’s paper before, and even 
now hinders me from dealing with the question of the types 
of the Latreillean genera just at present. ‘l'his, however, I 
hope to do shortly, and also from time to time with the 
others on the lines briefly indicated above. But I should 
like it to be distinctly understood that I have no wish or 
intention of laying down the law for any one else on any 
point ; but having come to the conclusion that, if the con- 
fusion in the nomenclature of the Arachnida is not to become 
worse confounded year by year, the types must be selected 
and some definite conclusion arrived at with regard to them. 
Practical acquaintance with the difficulty and the intricacy of 
the questions involved has suggested the remarks made 
above as to the methods to be followed. These are not my 
own methods, but have been followed, tentatively at any rate, 
by many authors for years. JI may remark, however, that I 
have not given adherence to any of them without first 
applying the test of their practical application to the problem 
before us. And, finally, 1 would like to point out again to 
Dr. Dahl that, far from being contrary to the spirit of “ Die 
internationalen Nomenclaturregeln,” these methods are quite 
consistent with both letter and spirit as he himself has quoted 
and interpreted them respectively. 
