Proposed Reform of Zoological Nomenclature. 283 
the whole of the propositions contained in it may be applied with 
equal correctness to the sister science of botany. We have pre- 
ferred, however, in this essay to limit our views to zoology, both 
for the sake of rendering the question less complex, and because 
we conceive that the botanical nomenclature of the present day 
stands in much less need of distinct enactment than the zoological. 
The admirable rules laid down by Linnzus, Smith, Decandolle, 
and other botanists (to which, no less than to the works of 
Fabricius, Illiger, Vigors, Swainson, and other zoologists, we 
have been much indebted in preparing the present document), 
have always exercised a beneficial influence over their disciples. 
Hence the language of botany has attained a more perfect and 
stable condition than that of zoology; and if this attempt at refor- 
mation may have the effect of advancing zoological nomenclature 
beyond its present backward and abnormal state, the wishes of its 
promoters will be fully attained. 
(Signed) H.E. Srricktanp. J. 8S. Henstow. 
JouN PHILLIPS. W. E. Sucxuarp. 
Joun RICHARDSON. G. R. WatTERHOUSE. 
RicuarD Owen. W. YARRELL. 
LEONARD JENYNS. C. Darwin. 
W. J. Bropenrip. J. O. WeEstwoop. 
June 27, 1842. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
British Association for the Advancement of Science, held at 
Newcastle, August 1863. 
Section AA—MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE. 
President—Professor W. J. Macquorn RankINeE. 
“‘ Report of the Committee on Electrical Standards.” By Mr Firemine 
JenKIN.—The Committee report that the system of so-called absolute 
electrical units, based on purely mechanical measurements, is the only 
system consistent with our present knowledge, both of the relations ex- 
isting between the various electrical phenomena, and of the connection be- 
tween these and the fundamental measurements of time, mass, and space. 
The doubts felt as to the accuracy with which this system could be reduced 
to practice have been dispelled by the success of experiments made for 
the Committee by Prof. Maxwell, Mr Stewart, and Mr Jenkin on the 
measurement of the absolute resistance of a conductor, by a method due 
to Prof. W. Thomson. Standard resistance coils will shortly be issued 
based on these experiments, which will, however, be repeated, with en- 
tirely new data, before this final step is taken, so as to avoid every chance 
