26 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 
origin in which a certain harmony of form and termination is preserved 
for groups of similar nature. Ex. Phanerogams, Cryptogams ; Cephalo- 
poda, Gasteropoda; Baptores, Scansores ; etc. (DC., etc.) 
Compounds of Greek and Latin words are inadmissible (Bourg.) Nomina sesqui- 
pedalia lugienda sunt (Lin.) In cryptogamic botany ancient names of families such 
as Musci, Filices, etc., have been employed as names of classes or sub-classes. Bo- 
tanical cohorts or subcohorts are designated by the name of one ol their principal 
families with the termination ales . (DC.) 
BOTANICAL FAMILIES OR ORDERS. 
§ XVI. The families ( onlines ) in botany are designated by the name of 
one of their principal genera, with the termination aces. Ex. Bosa, 
Bosaces ; Banuncuhis, Banunculaces. 
Usage has justified the following exceptions. 
1. When the genus from which the name of the family is taken ends in Latin with ix 
or is (genitive ids, iclis or iscisj the termination icece . idem or in ere, is permitted; 
as in Salicinece from Salix; Berberidece from Berberis; Tamarisdnece from Tam- 
ar ix. 
2. When the genus from whence the name of the family is derived has a name of incon- 
venient length, and there is not in the family a tribal name formed from the same 
generic name, the termination ece is admitted; as Dipterocarpem from Dipterocar- 
jms. 
3. For some very large families universally known under their exceptional names, the 
ancient designation is preserved, as Crudferce, Composite, Graminece, etc. 
4. An old generic name no longer preserving that rank, but applied only to a section 
or even a species, may be maintained as the base of a family name, as Hippocas - 
tanece from JEsculus liippocastanum. (DC.) 
ZOOLOGICAL FAMILIES, SUBFAMILIES AND TRIBES. 
§ XVII. The names of zoological families are best formed by adding the 
termination ids to the name of the earliest known or most characteristic 
genus contained in them ; and of subfamilies by adding the termination 
ins ; this should be done by changing the last syllable of the genitive case 
into ids or ins. Ex. iStrix, Strigis , Strigids ; not Strixids ; Buceros , 
Bucerotis, Bucerotids ; not Bucerosids, or Bucerids. (DC., B. A., R., 
Bourg., D’Orbigny, etc.) 
This practice is strongly recommended in both editions of its rules by the British 
Association Committee. It has been adopted so generally by modern authors, and its 
simplicity and convenience are so great, that it is not necessary to enlarge on its claims 
for consideration. Thorell suggests oidce as a termination, which is certainly less eu- 
phonious, if in some cases more classical. Scudder and a few others would attempt to 
retain old forms, however diverse, a course apparently both impracticable and un- 
desirable. 
There are a few generic names, which, it is claimed, will not readily receive these 
terminations, and some objections have been made to insisting on the universal appli- 
cation of this terminology. 
The desirability of uniformity and the self-evident convenience of being able to re- 
cognize the value of a group at a glance are weighty reasons in favor of the practice 
which, it appears to the Reporter, may safely be left to the common s^nse and good 
