376 PLIOCENE MOLLUSCA. 



1899. 8i])ho (Siphonorbis) propinquus, Posselt, Medd. om Gr0nl., vol. xxiii, p. 178. 



1903. Trophon propinquus, Lamplugb, Mem. Geol. Survey (Isle of Man), p. 475. 



1914. Sipho propinquus, F. W. Harrner, Plioc. Moll. Gt. Brit., pt. i, p. 195, pl. xx, figs. 8, 9. 



Distribution. — Recent: (additional) Greenland (Posselt). 



Remarks. — The specimen here figured from Wexford agrees with the recent 

 shell, except that like many others from that region it is very thick and solid. 

 The type form had not been recorded from the Crag previously to 1913, but it may 

 have been overlooked by collectors under the impression that it was an immature 

 specimen of some larger species. 



PLEUROTOMIDJE (continued from p. 302). 



For reasons similar to those stated on p. 370, and with many apologies to my 

 friendly critic in the ' Geological Magazine,' 1 I continue the use of the terms 

 Pleurotoma and Pleurotomidae. It has been suggested recently that these should 

 be changed to Turris and Turridse on the ground that the publication of Turn-is 

 by Bolten (1798) preceded that of Pleurotoma by Lamarck (1799) though by a few 

 months only. 



I submit that when a name has been in general use in all parts of the world, 

 without protest, for more than 100 years, it should be allowed to stand. Such an 

 interference with geological literature should be regarded, I consider, as a 

 matter of expediency and not of principle, 2 each case being decided on its 

 merits and in accordance with the views of those who have specially to deal with 

 it. Unless their general consent can be obtained any attempt to force the revival 

 of a name which has long been obsolete would probably result in failure. 



In a letter just received, a distinguished continental Conchologist informs me 

 that neither he nor his associates have any present intention of using Turris instead 

 of Pleurotoma, a change which he considers would be unnecessary, inexpedient, and 

 likely to interfere with the usefulness of our standard works of reference. Evidently 

 he does not intend to be among the first to support it. At present there seems to 

 be but little prospect of its general adoption ; meanwhile I am disposed to " wait 

 and see." 



1 Geol. Mag. [6], vol. iii, p. 472, 1916. 



2 Prof. Huxley held a similar opinion. Discussing the retention or otherwise of a nearly obsolete 

 name he said that sometimes "it may be well to allow justice to give way to expediency." (Quart. 

 Journ. Geol. Soc, vol. xxvi, p. 33, 1870.) 



