108 ^ 



The Naturalist, 



" Cyclops," and the weird, uncanny-looking, prickly New Zealand 

 lizard, " Moloch horridus." 



One objection to naming animals from the plants that they feed 

 on, is that one species may feed on many plants. I fancy that 

 " Bombyx quercus " is oftener found on the bramble than the oak. 

 Names indicating the habitat of the species are very convenient — 

 e.g. "calcarea,'' " maritimum." 



The only objection that I know to commemorating the names of 

 eminent naturalists by naming species after them, is that the said 

 names are often far from euphonious ; even Smithii " contains a 

 touch of the comic, but who could wish to immortalise the name of 

 the Russian investigator, Przszinsky ? 



' ' Phoebus ! what a name 

 To fill the speaking trump of future fame !" 



From a list of botanical genera I pick out at almost at random the 

 following : — Schwenkfeldia, Schweiggera, Schweykherta, Schycho- 

 wskya, Schwaegrichenia, Schlechtendahlia, Schiwereckia, Scheuch- 

 zeria. Would any amount of familiarity make those " rugged names 

 to our like mouths grow sleek? " 



A distinction often forgotten is, that species to which the name of 

 the author who first described them is given, should bear that name 

 in the genitive case ; whereas if a species be named merely in 

 compliment to a person, an adjective ending in anus " should be 

 used : thus, a species described by Sowerby would be " Sowerbyi," 

 if named in compliment to that author it would be Sowerbyanus," 



The genus of foraminifera " Challengeria " illustrates a somewhat 

 novel principle of nomenclature; and should Mr. Bairstow be so 

 fortunate as to discover a new species of butterfly at one of our joint 

 meetings, I would suggest that he might adopt another, and call 

 it " Westridingconsolidatednaturalistsocietyana." 



Goole, Dec. 7th, 1876. 



CIRCULATION OF MS. PAPERS ON NATURAL 



HISTORY, &c. 



Our valued correspondent, Mr. John Jones, of the Tees-side Field 

 Club, has suggested what seems to us a very useful project. It is 

 that, when the authors are willing, papers read before any Society 

 should be forwarded to other Societies in the Union, if desired, for 

 circulation amongst the members, or to be read at their meetings. 

 We think this a very useful and feasible idea, and shall be glad to 



