25 



this head, reference was made to the appointment of a committee 

 from among the members of the British Association, at its meet- 

 ing in 1842, embracing such names as those of Owen, Henslow, 

 Jarrold, Darwin, and Westwood. A memoir was issued by this 

 committee, pointing out the many defects which exist in the 

 nomenclature employed in Zoology, and suggesting remedies. 



Proceeding with his subject, he laid down some general po- 

 sitions, the first of which was, that science ouglit not only to have 

 a nomenclature of its own, hut that this should he, as far as prac- 

 ticable, a universal one. This consideration arose from the true 

 catholicity of science. Scientific men formed a species of brother- 

 hood, and were naturally led in consequence to adopt a language 

 as universal as was attainable. 



The languages of Greece and Rome were stated to be the 

 proper vehicle of thought in this case, and several reasons ad- 

 duced. The language of ancient Greece was the climax and 

 perfection of the Japhetic tongues, and still lives in the pro- 

 ductions of the poets and orators of that wondrously gifted 

 race. Latin was its complement, and from its marvellous copious- 

 ness is peculiarly fitted to be the medium of philosophic thought 

 and discovery. Its universality, like that of the Eoman Empire 

 at one period, is another great advantage. 



The arguments of those who would substitute our own tongue, 

 or that of Germany, for the learned languages, in science, were 

 met by examples. Such terms in Botany, for example, as Endo- 

 gens and Exogens, Cryptogamous and PhEenogamous, Cotyle- 

 donous and Acotoledynous, Hypogonous and Epigonous, &c, 

 while singularly expressive in their original state, if expressed in 

 equivalent English terms would appear absurd, the English tongue 

 being unsuited to the formation of such compound words. 



The advantages of employing the languages of Greece and 

 Rome for scientific purposes were next enlarged on. It forms a 

 badge, so to speak, and an expression of the universality of science, 

 and promotes the fraternity existing among men of science. 

 Hence the manifest advantage of such works as Baron's Novum 

 Organon, and Newton's Principia, being found originally in a 

 Latin form. , 



Another advantage was found in the intimate relation and 

 connexion existing between correct nomenclature and accurate 



