IV 
Introduction 
species have been dated from their original description, with their type 
fixation dated at the earliest time the action can logically be interpreted to 
have occurred. Original spellings have been retained in all cases, except 
obvious typographical errors. Typographical errors are indicated by placing 
“[sic]” after the misspelled name. This is not for the purpose of calling at- 
tention to the mistakes authors have made but to make certain that stu- 
dents following the catalogue have a clear understanding of what is implied. 
The determination of obvious typographical errors is not always easy. 
These errors range all the way from clearly apparent transpositions of 
letters, to misspelled names of individuals, geographical names, and many 
others of like character. However, so many generic names have been 
formed by the transposition and substitution of letters that one is often 
at a loss to know which names are misspelled and which are not. For 
example, Neokolla and Keonolla, or Alebra, Elabra, and Eualebra. 
All variations in spelling, save those which refer to endings only, are 
appropriately cross-referred. The species have also been listed under every 
known generic combination so that it is possible to find any species without 
recourse to the index, which will be published at the completion of the 
Fascicle. 
The writer takes no pride in the authorship of nomina nova. He uses 
them only when he thinks they are necessary. No new names are proposed 
for species or genera described by living authors without first giving the 
original author an opportunity to correct primary or secondary homonyms. 
A catalogue is not a revision of a group and the location of the genera and 
species in the present catalogue is merely an attempt to reflect what is be- 
lieved to be the general consensus of the best authorities at the present time. 
Doubtful genera and species have been included to call them to the atten- 
tion of subsequent revisers. 
An attempt has been made throughout this catalogue to interpret all 
references in the light of the period in which they were published. This is not 
always easy and leads perhaps to erroneous conclusions at times, but it is 
certainly much sounder from the standpoint of nomenclature than the 
tendency to evaluate references from previous decades in the light of present 
day practices and procedures. 
In this series we have departed from our previous method of giving 
latinized names to varieties which in the past have been designated by 
Arabic letters, Greek letters, numbers, or other designations. All varieties 
are catalogued, however, under the first designation regardless of its form. 
Some of these varieties may prove to be valid species with further study and 
then may be given latinized designations. 
Primary homonyms of species have been replaced by nomina nova ; 
secondary homonyms have been restored to their original names if the 
cm 
SciELO 
10 11 12 13 14 15 
