682 EEPOET— 1891. 



of the nucleus aj^ain begins, but in many instances llie nuclear rods were seen to 

 be dividing in cells which were still connected with each other. 



After a time the division of the cells takes place less rapidly, and finally ceases 

 altogether. The division of the nucleus becomes very irregular, and at the time 

 when cell division has ceased the nucleus has become broken up into granules which 

 are distributed irregularly in the contents of the cell. 



This breaking up of the nucleus appears to be preliminary to the formation of 

 spores, although the formation of spores has not been satisfactorily observed. 



A Discussion was held on the Systematic Position of certain Organisms 

 that are regarded hy some Naturalists as Animals, and by otliera as 

 Plants. 



SATUBDAT, AUGUST 22. 

 The following Papers were read : — 

 1. On Anatomical Nomenclature. By Professor W. Krause, Gottingen. 



The subject of the paper, ' Anatomical Nomenclature,' may seem to be only of 

 interest to the anatomist in the dissecting-room. This is, however, an error, for 

 the names of several parts of the body occur in every branch of Biological Science, 

 Zoology, Embryology, &c., and especially in the practice of Medicine and Surgery. 

 There have been and there are many complaints that a great many parts of the 

 body have not one but several difterent anatomical names, for instance — conarium, 

 pineal body, epiphysis. This state of things has every year become worse and 

 worse ; in Germany, especially, it has become almost insupportable. 



The reason is obvious. Germany was and is not united in the administration 

 of the internal aflkirs of the single states, and every state, and even every little 

 university, has had and has to-day its own anatomical nomenclature. If one com- 

 pares the anatomical papers and the handbooks of different nations, one meets with 

 the same difficulties. In Germany, however, there are still greater difficulties to 

 face. Here in the same university sometimes different anatomical nomenclatures 

 exist. Much time and labour are lost by student and teacher owing to these 

 diflerences. 



This labour is completely lost, because it is and it must be of little importance 

 whether this or that name be given to a particular muscle or a particular artery. 

 Sometimes confusion and misunderstandings arise, but the worst is that the mere 

 reader is unwilling or does not care to translate the anatomical terms of an author, 

 foreigner or otherwise, into his own anatomical terminology. So reading becomes 

 superficial ; the reader understands the words but not the real meaning of the 

 author. This state of things cannot last, and so a Committee has been elected for 

 preparing, not a new one, but at least a homogeneous nomenclature. This Com- 

 mittee consists of seventeen anatomists, of whom twelve are Germans and four or 

 five from other countries. Sir William Turner from Edinburgh and Professor 

 Cunningham from Dublin represent Great Britain. This Committee has begun to 

 work in earnest, and has already done much. The author referred to a little 

 paper, only three pages, which contains nothing but the names of the muscles of 

 the human body, but much work had to be done before it was completed. Now 

 Germans can, at least, answer the question, if a foreigner should ask, ' What is 

 the German name for a certain muscle ? ' A year ago no German anatomist could 

 have given any answer but ' I do not know, some call it the trapezius, others the 

 cucullaris.' In conclusion, the author said, ' In two or three years we shall have 

 finished the whole, and then we shall ask the anatomists of other countries to 

 give their candid opinion on the results of our labours.' 



Some general principles have already been laid down by the Committee. 



Firstly : The name should be as short as possible. 



