INTRODUCTION xxv 



characters; and any animal which requires to be killed and dis- 

 sected before it can be named, is of no practical value as an inde- 

 pendent form. 



To secure recognition among zoologists, it is important that 

 the first description of a new species should appear in a regular 

 publication of some scientific society, or in a scientific journal. In 

 case the creature has not already been described, and the proposed 

 species has just claims to stand alone, this name is entitled to stand, 

 by right of priority, or first christening. 



Many times it happens that through ignorance of what has been 

 done by others, or by errors in judgment, a new name is bestowed 

 upon an animal or plant that has already been named. Sometimes, 

 also, it is found that the name bestowed has already been used for 

 some other animal. A name applied to an animal or plant already 

 named is called a synonym. In scientific books, synonyms some- 

 times are printed in a list under the correct name, followed by the 

 names of their respective authors. A zoological synonym always 

 stands for a published error, and scientific authors should be chary 

 of describing as "new" any species which are likely to prove mere 

 synonyms. 



The type of any species is a carefully selected specimen which in 

 size and color may fairly be considered the standard, or average, 

 for that species. Among zoologists, this term is applied to the 

 identical skin, or other specimen, described by its discoverer. Be- 

 cause of the many scientific names that are erroneously bestowed 

 upon animals, the name of the author who is responsible for a name 

 is usually printed, in abbreviated form, immediately after the name 

 itself, thus: 



Popular name. Scientific name. Authority. 

 Coyote. Canis latrans. Say. 



A parenthesis enclosing a Latin name and the name of its author 

 is a sign that the name has been changed somewhat from the form 

 originally chosen and put forth by the author of the species. 



