ON ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE. 
35 
§ XXXIX. A species is not to be considered as named unless both gen- 
eric and specific names are simultaneously applied to it. (DC.) 
This follows from § XXVI, and the majority of the replies to query NVII of the cir- 
cular, concur in it. 
§ XL. A species announced in a publication with both generic and spe- 
cific names, but without any description, cannot be considered as pub- 
lished. It is the same with a genus simply announced by name. If, 
subsequently, the author or some one else, makes public what this name 
signifies, the date of the second publication is the only one to be taken 
account of. (DC.) 
A specific name without a generic name, or a combination of generic and specific 
names without a description of any kind, is nothing. They are empty words without 
sense. They only acquire a value from the time when some one gives them sense by 
completing them. 
It may be said that there are specific descriptions so short or badly made as to sig- 
nify almost nothing, and hence these should be disregarded as incompletely published, 
or names pure and simple should be admitted. There is, however, a difference between 
the two cases. The absence of all characterization of a name is a definite, positive 
fact. The insufficiency of a description is something vague, which may be contested. 
Besides, an apparently insignificant word may sometimes lead to the identification of 
a species. (DC.) 
In revising a group in which such names occur, the naturalist who desires to avoid 
multiplication of synonyms, may choose to adopt the unpublished name; a course 
which is to be commended only when by some particular circumstances the absolute 
identity of the group about to be named, with that intended by the author of the un- 
published name, can be established. (G. R. G., etc.) 
§ XLI. A generic name accompanied by a description, but without a 
reference to it of any definite species, may be considered as published 
when the organisms to which it is intended to refer, are unmistakable. 
Compare circular, XVI. 
§ XLI I. A generic name unaccompanied by a description, but under 
which, as type, a single new species is fully described or satisfactorily 
figured, and concerning which there can be no uncertainty, may be ad- 
mitted as published. Conversely, when a generic name is fully charac- 
terized, and a new specific name without a description is appended to it 
as the type of the new genus, and about which no doubt can be enter- 
tained, the species may be regarded as published. (Th.) 
The practices mentioned are doubtless highly objectionable. But in the first case 
the generic characters maybe regarded as included in the specific diagnosis, and in the 
second the specific characters may be considered as expressed in the generic descrip- 
tion; in either instance a doubt might reasonably exist as to which of all the characters 
of a new organism were to be regarded as generic, and which as appertaining to the 
species. 
This differs from the cases in which a generic name without a diagnosis is placed 
before the names of a number of species then or previously described. In these in- 
stances, if there are characters warranting the allocation of species, and separating 
them from other genera, it is the duty of the propounder of the genus to indicate them 
to the best of his ability. If too ignorant or too indolent to attempt the task of differ- 
entiation in words, his work may safely be regarded as unworthy of recognition. (B. 
A., 11.) 
