1881. | Editors’ Table. 219 
—pure white and about the size of a pigeon’s egg—were five in 
number; two were considerably advanced in incubation, one was. 
pipped and two were infertile. In another nest, found by a friend 
and authentic, were seven eggs, none so far incubated as to ren- 
der blowing them difficult, and some infertile. I scarce know 
what inference to draw from these instances of a large number of 
eggs, but do not think the bird would raise so large a brood. 
Also the presence of infertile eggs in these nests where there 
were large numbers of eggs, “seems to contradict the idea that 
they raise such a large brood. But why did they lay so many 
eggs? Perhaps some observer has explained, but I have never 
seen the explanation. 
¢ 
:0: 
EDITORS’ TABLE. 
EDITORS: A. S. PACKARD, JR., AND E. D. COPE. 
Nomenclature is an essential part of language. Owing 
to the sense limitations under which we exist, objects must have 
names, So also must general concepts derived from objects have 
names, The one essential of naming is, of course, that distinct 
things shall have distinct names; and the second essential is, that 
each object or concept shall have but one name. These necessities 
become more and more urgent, as the number of known ob- 
jects becomes greater. In order that each object and concept shall 
have but one name, cultivators of the natural sciences have deter- 
mined to use that name which was first proposed with such a defi- 
nition as shall enable them to ascertain the application intended by 
its author. All subsequent names are thus necessarily rejected as 
waste, to be forgotten as soon as possible. Moreover, names 
created for objects or concepts which are not defined, are rejected, 
as not being really proposed; for a name which is not applied to 
a stated object or concept, is quite as little nomenclature as an 
object or concept without a name. A name is, in fact, a short _ 
substitute for a definition, and where no definition’ exists, there 
can be no name. Thus the rule of priority has become the modus 
operandi of nomenclature, and its only possible law. 
Besides this practical necessity, an ethical element enters the 
question. The good opinion of the world is as much property 
as money and real estate. In fact, ¢¢ zs money and real estate. 
1Tt is evident that definitions must often, in the early — ig a subject, be im- 
been But even a bad definition conforms to the necessary ru 
