1896.] " INDBX OBNHnUlI BT SPEOIBRUM AWIMALIUM." 611 



frequently referred to by those in need of information at the 

 British Museum and elsewhere. 



The following is a reprint of the original set of rules : — 



(1) The earliest reference is to date from the twelfth edition of 

 Linnaeus, 1766. 



(2) The last reference to close with December 31, 1899. 



(3) The names of genera and species to be given in one 

 alphabetical sequence, and accompanied by a reference to the 

 original source. 



(4) The names of species of each genus to be also quoted in 

 alphabetical order under that genus. 



(5) No attempt at synouymy to be given; but, to assist 

 reference, the various genera in which a species has from time to 

 time been placed to be indicated under that species. 



(6) Pre-Linnasan names to be quoted as founded by the author 

 first using them after 1766 : — e. g., Echinocorys, Leske, 1778 {ex 

 Klein, 1734). Should a pre-Linnasan species or genus have been 

 re-named after 1766, before the post^-Linnsoan use of that pre- 

 Linnseau name, the new name is to stand. [Eeferences will be 

 given to Artedi, Brisson, and Scopoli, in accordance with British 

 Association rules.] 



As soon as the work commenced it was found advisable to adopt 

 the 10th edition of the ' Systema ' as a starting point, instead of 

 the 12th. The reasons for this adoption need not be discussed here ; 

 the use of the 10th edition is fast becoming universal. This 

 alteration caused a slight modification of several of the proposed 

 rules. At the same time a reference is also given to the 12th edition 

 o£ the ' Systema,' as it will be convenient to many people and will 

 not increase the number of slips in any appreciable degree. 



Each genus name and each species name is recorded on a 

 separate slip, the original reference being quoted ; and every time a 

 species name is transferred to a new genus a separate slip is used, 

 the quotation including a reference back to the original genus in 

 which the species was first placed. 



Each slip is made out in duplicate : one set being sorted up in 

 alphabetical order of genera ; and a second set being kept tied up 

 as an index ot the contents of the particular book quoted. 



Eeferences are taken from one book at a time — i. e. a book is 

 gone through from cover to cover — every genus and species, and 

 every change of genus, being systematically recorded ; thus com- 

 pletely disposing of that particular book, and ensuring the almost 

 absolute certainty of every reference being taken. This system 

 proves far more exact than the recording of any special group of 

 animals at one time. It further permits of the printing from type 

 of a reference to that particular book on each slip, and thus 

 ensures the absolute accuracy of the reference with the sole excep- 

 tion of the page. The entries are made in black-lead pencil and 

 black or blue carbon paper — both methods having proved to be 

 quite indelible. 



A particular paper has been chosen, known as " white rope," 

 which presents the requisite stiffness for an edge-on arrangement 



