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THE NOMENCLATURE-RESOLUTION AT THE 



NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ZOOLOGY. 



The subject of Zoological Nomenclature played an important 

 part in the proceedings of the Ninth International Congress 

 of Zoology, which took place in April at Monaco. 



We are extremely glad to note that those who are opposed 

 to the rigid application of the principle of priority turned 

 up in force to discuss the matter at the Congress. This must 

 surely portend a wide acceptance of the principle that the 

 Rules of Nomenclature must be controlled by a central 

 international authority if uniformity is to be attained. 



It is for recognition of this principle that we have contended, 

 and we hope and believe that the resolution passed at the 

 Congress will have the effect of drawing more adherents to 

 the International Commission. The wording of this resolution 

 which we take from Nature (April 17th, 1913, p. 165) was as 

 follows : — 



" That plenary power is herewith conferred upon the international 

 commission in zoological nomenclature acting for this congress to 

 suspend the regies as applied to any given case, where in its judgment 

 the strict application of the regies will'clearly result in greater confusion 

 than uniformity, provided, however, that not less than one year's 

 notice shall be given in any two or more of the following publications, 

 namely. Bulletin de la Societe Zoologiqite de France, Monitor Zoologica, 

 Nature, Science (N.Y.), and Zoologischer Anzeiger, that a question 

 of the possible suspension of the regie as applied to such cases is under 

 consideration, thereby making it possible for zoologists, particularly 

 specialists in the group in question, to present arguments for and 

 against the suspension iinder consideration ; and provided also that the 

 veto of the commission is unanimously in favour of suspension if not 

 less than two-thirds be present. The commission is hereby instructed 

 to report the facts to the next succeeding international congress." — 

 It was also resolved : " That this congress fully approves of the plan 

 that has been inaugurated by the commission of conferring with 

 special committees from the special groups involved in any given 

 case, and that it authorises and instructs the commission to continue 

 and extend their policy." 



Nature remarks : " Altogether, the conclusions arrived at 

 appear thoroughly satisfactory, especially as the plenary 



