16 
refers, not to the genus as a whole, but to the particular species that 
occurs in man. This custom of capitalizing the generic name has 
come down to us from former centuries, and while it now has its 
practical basis, its historic basis is probably due to the custom earlier 
authors had of capitalizing all Latin substantives when used in nomen- 
clature. At present the custom is so thoroughly established that 
botanists and zoologists experience much the same sensation in seeing 
“bacillus tuberculosis'' or “ jolasmodium malarise ,” instead of Bacillus 
tuberculosis and Plasmodium malarise , that the}" would if they found a 
reference to u american‘’ authors or to u doctor s. weir mitchell.” 
Recommendations. — T he following words may be taken as generic names: 
a. Greek substantives, for which the rules of Latin transcription (see Appendix F) 
should be followed. Examples: Ancylus , Amphibola, Aplysia, Pompholyx, Physa, 
Cylichna. 
b. Compound Greek words, in which the attributive should precede the principal 
word. Examples: Stenogyra, Pleurobranclius, Tylodina, Cyclostomum, Sctrcocystis, 
Pelodytes, Hydrophilus, Phizobius. 
This does not, however, exclude words formed on the model of Hippopotamus , 
namely, words in which the attributive follows the principal word. Examples: 
Philydrus, Biorhiza. 
c. Latin substantives. Examples: Ancilla, Auricula , Dolium, Harpa, Oliva. 
Adjectives ( Prasina ) and passed participles ( Productus ) are not recommended. 
d. Compound Latin words. Examples: Stiliger, Dolabrifer , Semifusus. 
e. Greek or Latin derivatives expressing diminution, comparison, resemblance, or 
possession. Examples: Dolium , Doliolum; Strongylus, Eustrongylus; Limax, Lima- 
edict, Limacia, Limacinct, Limacites, Limacula; Lingula , Lingulella, Lingulepis , Lingu- 
lina, Lingulops, LAngulopsis; Neomenia, Proneomenia; Buteo, Arcliibuteo; Gordius , 
Paragordi us, Polygorcli us. 
/• My thological or heroic names. Examples: Osiris , Venus, Brisinga, Velleda, 
Crimora. If not Latin, these should be given a Latin termination (Aegirus, Gon- 
dulia). 
g. Proper names used by the ancients. Examples: Cleopatra , Belisarius, Melania. 
h. Modern patronymics, to which is added an ending to denote dedication: 
а. Names terminating with a consonant take the ending ius, ia, or ium. 
Examples: Selysius, Lamarckia, Kollikeria, Mulleria , St&lia, Kroyeria, Ibanezia. 
(L Names terminating with the vowels e, i, o, u, or y take the ending us, a, or 
um. Examples: Blainvillea, Wyvillea, Cavolinia, Fatioa, Bernaya, Quoya, 
Schulzea. 
y . Names terminating with a take the ending ia. Example: DanoAa. 
б. In generic names formed from patronymics, the particles are omitted if 
not coalesced with the name, but the articles are retained. Examples: Blain- 
villea, Benedenici, Chiaject, Lacepedeci, Dumerilia. 
£. With patronymics consisting of two words, only one of these is used in the 
formation of a generic name. Examples: Selysius, Targionia, Edwardsia , 
Duthiersia. 
C. The use of proper names in the formation of compound generic names is 
objectionable. Examples: Eugrimmia, Buchiceras, Heromorpha, Mdbiusispongia. 
i. Names of ships which should be treated the same as mythological names ( Vega) 
or as modern patronymics. Examples: Blahea, Hirondellea, Challengena. 
j. Barbarous names, that is, words of nonclassic origin. Examples: Vanikoro, 
Chilosa. Such words may receive a Latin termination. Examples: Yetus , Fossarus. 
