237 



potcs on Nomenclature. I. 



Very erroneous impressions seem to prevail as to the condi- 

 tions under which, in accordance with the British Association 

 rules, generic and specific names, previously otherwise employ- 

 ed, become void. 



Yet the rule is extremely clear and simple. 



" A name should be changed which has before been proposed 

 for some other genus in zoology or botany, or for some 

 other species in the same genus, when still retained for such 

 genus or species.''' 



This is the rule, the law in fact, binding on all naturalists 

 who adopt the Code. 



No name, therefore, whether specific or generic, can be set 

 aside on account of its previous application, unless such previous 

 application has at the time a scientific substantive existence, i.e., 

 has not passed away into the Synonymic Haides. 



At the same time, while no name not u still retained for such 

 genus or species' 5 can be set aside by any one else, authors are 

 advised not, knowingly, to employ terms previously used. 

 The Committee say : — 



" Some authors consider that, when a name has been reduced 

 to a synonym by the operations of the laws of priority, they 

 are then at liberty to apply it at pleasure to any new group 

 which may be in want of a name. We consider, however, that 

 when a word has once been proposed in a given sense, and has 

 afterwards sunk into a synomym, it is far better to lay it aside 

 for ever, than to run the risk of making confusion by re-issuing 

 it with a new meaning attached.' 5 



Most people would concur in this as a general rule, for the guid- 

 ance of authors. Though possibly even this might require that 

 certain sets of names, Brehm/s for instance, should be absolutely 

 ignored, but this advice to authors confers no authority on 

 others to meddle with names given, by oversight or design, in 

 disregard of such advice. 



"My dears/' said the good old folks wheu I was young, "it 

 is not a nice thing to run away and get married at Gretna 

 Green ; you had much better not do it, &c, &c." Very good 

 advice, and deserving general attention, but in no way affecting 

 the validity of the irregular marriages that, from time to time, 

 did, despite all good advice, eventuate at Gretna. 



So too here ; much better never use, either for genus or 

 species, a previously-applied term, although this may have be- 

 come a mere synomym, but if you do by accident hit upon 

 such a term, no one else has the right to alter it under the 

 British Association Code. 



g 7 



