Nomenclature of Zoology. 9 
A. “The best zoological names are those which are derived from the 
Latin and Greek, and express some distinguishing characteristic of the 
object to which they are applied.” 
B. “It is recommended that the assemblages of genera termed fami- 
lies, should be uniformly named by adding the termination zd@, to the 
name of the earliest known, or most typically characterized genus in 
them ; and that their subdivisions, termed swb-families, should be similarly 
constructed, with the termination zne.” 
C. “Specific names should always be written with a small initial let- 
ter, even when derived from persons and places, and generic names 
should be always written with a capital.” 
D. “It is recommended that the authority for a specific name, when 
not applying to the generic name also, should be followed by the aieuae 
tive expression, (sp.)” 
E. “It is recommended that new genera or epecies be amply defined 
and extensively circulated, in the first instance.” i 
F. “It is recommended that in subdividing an old genus, in future, 
the names given to the subdivisions should agree in gender with that of 
the original group.” 
G. “It is recommended that in defining new genera, the etymology of 
the name should be always stated, and that one species should be inva- 
riably selected, as a type or standard of reference.” 
Under rule A, certain classes of words are specified as objec- 
tionable: as, a. Geographical names ; because, though a name 
may indicate that an object may be found in such a country, it 
may also be found equally common in other countries, and there- 
fore the name does not tell the whole truth. 6. Barbarous 
names; by giving Latin terminations to local, native names. 
c. Technical names ; names expressive of trades or professions, 
unless carefully chosen. d. Mythological names. e. Compar- 
ative names; aS maximus, minimus, &c. f£ Generic names, 
compounded from other genera; this supposes such an alli- 
ance between two genera that no other can intervene. g. Spe- 
cific names derived from persons. h. Generic names derived 
JSrom persons. %. Names of harsh and inelegant pronunciation. 
k. Ancient names of animals applied in a wrong sense. When 
the original animal to which they were applied can be ascer- 
tained, such names are most desirable. 7. Adjective generic 
names. m. Hybrid names; i.e. words compounded of two 
languages. mn. Names closely resembling other names already 
used. o. Corrupted words ; those which are ie naeery 
Vol. xiv, No. 1.—April-June, 1843, 2 
