182 The American Geologist. Soptciiiix-r, i,x96 
Tuv. Law ok Priokity. 
J. T. Ciiiiniiigham, M. A., declares that tlie law of priority 
in zoological nomenclature is a dead failure {N(i(iir<tl Science, 
May, 189()). Perturbation in England upon the question of 
Avhether it is or not is at present very deep, but to an Ameri- 
can paleontologist such a declaration as the above seems out- 
right sedition, or, if not that, to evince, at least, a pathologic 
condition among nomenclators, for it is quite evident that this 
law once set aside nothing can result but anarchy and chaos. 
Admitted that the action of the law may work a percentage 
of injustice, it is a mere soupyon compared with its righteous 
consideration of authors and the comfortable sense of peace 
it brings to its adherents. And what has Mr. Cunningham to 
offer as its substitute? Nothing; for there is nothing. To 
go back to the very same raw and disordered methods which 
precipitated the law of priority, to use names as suits the 
fancy, or those which liave no other claim than currency, this 
is certainly laying up wrath against the day of wrath. The 
best paleontologic work of late years in this country shows 
that American workers abide by the injunctions of this law 
with a fervent devotion and are hence a peaceable and happy 
community. .t. m. c. 
Das Thiekreich. 
It has been suggested that the German Zoological Society, 
which has undertaken to prepare, under the direction of Prof . 
F. E. Schulze, a description of every species of living animal, 
"Das Thierreich,'' append thereto an account of all extinct 
species. A writer in Xatural Science has calculated that 
'•Das Thierreich, "if carried out in accordance with its present 
plan, will contain 128,700 pages and, without binding, make 
a row of books upward of 40 feet in length. An equally com- 
plete paleontologlcal appendix would add a few yards to the 
length of the work, ])ut is not an impossible task in spite of 
the imperfections of fossils. Such a realization of Neumayr's 
dream would be of immense value to students, .j. m. c. 
