8 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 
ican Scientific Societies, and an unquestionable majority of the 
best working-naturalists of the country. The views of several of 
those from whom no response was received, have been incorporated 
in the appendix by means of citations from their works. 
The queries contained in the circular relate chiefly to certain 
points, concerning which a diversity of opinion has existed among 
naturalists ; the general principles of nomenclature not being in 
question. The responses are divided into affirmative, negative 
and doubtful, while in individual cases some queries received no 
response. The answers classed as doubtful, comprise those which 
by their tenor indicated that the purport of the particular query 
had not been clearly understood, and some in which the person 
replying avowed his inability to express a preference for any one 
of several modes of proceeding. 
The gratifying unanimity which is exhibited in the responses to 
certain of the more important and clearly defined questions at is- 
sue, indicates that a thorough study of the more complicated 
questions by the light of the general principles of nomenclature, 
would result in a practical agreement on the part of American 
Naturalists in relation to nearly all the matters in debate. 
It is evident from the responses of naturalists, that their opinion 
is generally adverse to any attempt to limit, by arbitrary rules, the 
right of publication in the most convenient direction, and against 
any statute of limitations in regard to scientific names. This 
seems to be in accord with the principles of justice, equity and 
general usage in nomenclature, though at times, inconvenient in 
its results. It may be confidently expected that the majority of 
authors, when their attention has been drawn to it will, for their 
own interests as well as that of science, avoid in future publica- 
tions, the methods (or want of method), which in the remote past 
sowed so many germs of present difficulty. 
It was thought by your Reporter that the best interests of 
science would be served, and the whole question be more clearly 
presented for future decision, by preparing such an appendix as 
that which forms the chief bulk of this report as now submitted. 
This appendix consists of a resume of all the principles and 
rules of nomenclature as heretofore set forth by the chief authori- 
ties on that subject, with the diverse views of different authors 
concerning each proposition appended to it and authenticated by 
their initials according to the accompanying list. In most cases, 
