16 
Psyche 
[March 
tacts of systematic entomology with morphology relate to 
matters of nomenclature and these are perhaps the most un- 
fortunate ones. The majority of morphologists hold the idea 
that the present instability in nomenclature as it relates to 
generic names is a disgrace which entomologists may be 
expected immediately to remedy. Most entomologists agree 
with them heartily and some have offered to supply reme- 
dies. As the affliction becomes chronic, many kind friends 
suggest new remedies and we are urged to learn by trial 
and error the benefits of each. At the present time we are 
powerless to stem the rising tide of names resurrected from 
oblivion by a few industrious searchers who follow this 
pursuit as a pastime or mental discipline during their leisure 
hours. By the rediscovery of some long-forgotten pamphlet 
it is possible with very little effort to cause an uproar whose 
echoes ring for many years. When a series of such commo- 
tions in rapid succession fails to drown out the small voice 
of the non-combatants who believe that the face of Nature 
is being changed too rapidly, deeply pitched cerebrations on 
the part of others bring forth new interpretations of pre- 
vious literary researches, and so far as we can foresee, this 
process may go on forever. At the present time almost no 
branch of systematic entomology is free from this incubus 
and it is difficult to view with equanimity the future of ento- 
mological nomenclature, in spite of the protestations of 
those who insist that they are submerging their personali- 
ties for the good of science. There is of course some hope 
that the International Commission on Zoological Nomen- 
clature may be able to restore order. They are struggling 
valiantly toward that end, but they need good honest sup- 
port. I think that most of us are willing to give this, both 
actively and passively. The latter is particularly easy for it 
saves vast quantities of energy, breath and printer’s ink, 
all of which find a ready market for other purposes. Perhaps 
no group of entomologists have suffered so long and pain- 
fully from nomenclatorial unrest as the lepidopterists 1 but 
their colleagues in other fields are facing the rapid approach 
of an equally distressing situation. 
iDr. Forbes’ discussion on a later page (p. 21) of the present issue 
of Psyche deals in an admirable way with this question. 
