The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-09
Association or American Gcologists and Natu-
rnllsts.

New HAVEN, TUESDAY, May 6, 1916.
PROF. CHESTER DEWEY having returned home,
DR. AMOS BINNEY, OF Boston, was elected to take
his place as chairman.
After the minutes were read and slightly altered,
at the suggestion OF several members,
DR. JACKSON arose to thank the Society warmly
tor the unexpected honor conferred upon him the
day before, in his election to the office of President
Tor the ensuing year; and to assure them that if
Providence permitted, he would be at his post, and
use all his efforts to promote the harmony and pros
perty of the Society.
PRoF. RoDGERs moved that a committee should
be appointed to petition the Legislature the sub
ect OF the distributions of the report of the Geolo-
yical Survey. The motion was adopted, and Profs
Rogers and Slliman, and DIR. Jackson, were nomi-
mated as the committee.
appointed to- revise the scientific nomenclature, as
defined by the rules of the British Association
They suggested their proposed alterations the fol-
lowing report, which, upon motion, it was resolved
York; Boston, and Philadelphia, for their approval,
or such amendments as they might think proper to
suggest.
. :. LAW or PRIORITY WITH ITS LIMITATIONS.
The name originally given to group, or species,
by its founder, should be retained, to the exclusion
OF all subsequent synonymes
The systematic nomenclature having originated
with Llnneus this last law is not to extend to the
writings OF antecedent authors
In the progress of science, it often becomes ne
cessary to restrict or extend the characteristics of
genus, or to subdlvide 1t into several genera The
following principles bearing upon the above law,
should De adopted in making such changes.
A. When several smaller genera are united in
one, the name OF the earliest, if otherwise unob-
ectionable, should be selected as the name of the
whole group.
B.-Whcn genus is subdvided, the original generic
name should be cancelled but should be retained for
that portion of it which considered typical by the
author; or the evidence to tho original type is
clear and indisputablc it may be given to any portion
and their given name should be afterwards retained
C:-Wnen generic name has synonymc exactly
subdivision Of the genus this should not be
adopted for either Of the genera formed except
when its type as laid down By its author belonged
derent section OF the genus from that Of other name
and both these sections are elevated to genera For in
stance, the genus Monaulus' Of viellot, Qsle) is
authors having adopted the species their typo
ana therefore when the latter came in the
the o tho gsc
tons. The name Edemia' and "Melanetha," were
originally synonyms, but their respective types
taken from different sections of the group, and
qucnty in raising these two sections to genera, their
names are retained for the groups.
There other limitations Of the law Of priority ars
ing from the violation of the rules OF proprey in the in
PRODUCTION Of terms They follow:
A.Ma%es given to species or groups qnaccompanied
by published descriptions should yield place to the
LEST name accompanying such description
It has been customary for some naturaists to give
logue, and this ground to claim authority for such
names This is not NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is it sufficient that
the description appear in public newspaper, in
Journal not widely known for its scientific character
name Of species already in for another species
Of the genus, should be changed; Also generic
kingdom should be Changed and the same in the
botanical kingdom. A name glaringly opposed in its
Specification to the essential characteristics of species
group and likely to propagate important should
be changed.
Such terms as monodon Capremuigns, Paradisia apoda
and monoculers have acquired sufficient currency no
longer to error and are therefore retained without
Names derived from localities where the
specimens found to have wider limits should still be
retained. But when find Batrachan reptile named
in violation Of its true ainities Mastodon saurus
when name is derived from accidental monstrosty
Tcntun another nsws should be s.bsasd Th;s ns;.
lege should be allowed only in extreme cases.
When the name of a species is sferward made the
name OF genus including that species, new specific
name should be given.
The generic name Py,rhocoraz was called by Linn.
change the specific NAME and apnus was substituted
The practice Of thus elevatng specific genercs
bad one Objected to in one Of the sections below.
LAWS WITH REGARD ORrHooRAPHY.
In writing systematic names, the rules of
Latin .orthognphy should bo adhered to- except
the termination should Be- Ianiaed Proper ERR names
Of individuals would often become unntelligible
4 modified SO as to conform throughout Latin
biography. We should not recognize Knghh Wood
card in the words Cnich pudpardi But words of bar
oarous origin having fixed photography phi
rendered as classical in appearance is consistent with
The preservation Of the original sound
In compromising two Greek words the first of the two
should have the form Of the genve case dropping only
he terminal consonant.
In compromising two Latin words the rule should
be followed except that should be substituted when
The genitive ends in Psnnaform6 should be Penni-
f0rmis.
Words different languages must never be compound
ed together.
Specific names, derived from locality, should tcrmi
nate in ensis.
Specific names derived from names Of persons when in
honor of the discover, should end in the genitivc
but when in compliment to person not dscoverer
The adjective should end in anus.
Prof. RoGERs condemned the Of unnecessary names
above all, of complimentary 1t was a fault to
which naturalsts very prone to give the of
heir friends to new species and he hoped the committee
would recommend in their report the abolition of this IN
,umbrance to science.
Prof HALpEMAN observed that in the report of the Br
sh Association which was widely circulated they sug
yested that unmcanng of this description should
% printed commencing with small letter this re-
sulaton he was in favor Of cecual remedy
he bestowal Of such names by naturalistswho would
not consider 1t any great compliment to their friends to
rave their names placed in position of studied obscure
". His prof Hs) had been given several small
animals. Uaughter) But he expected to it redeem.
I'd from the by no means ustrious association by the
Mr.. WHELrLEY was always of opinion that science pu
lined itself and no matter what names given, If
hey did not possess meaning they would not last fifty
1ears The evil discussed would correct ITSELF
Prof RocERs moved that the report should be recon.
nittcd with the recommendation that the committee
houd adopt in the report The usage of the British Bsso
The Secretary read letter from Lieut. johnson, dated
fort Washita, Choctaw Nation, containing few remarks
IN the Geology of the vicinity of that station.
Professor HALL then occupied the association for brief
erod on the fossils Of the partially altered states and
imestones Of eastern New York.
The Secretary next made remarks some Of the
Metallic ores Of Mine La Mottc in Missouri and followed
hem by reading letter from DR. Dickson of Natchcz
lated April 10, lsl5 the Natchcz bluffs with some
mention Of nondcscrpt animal of the class Msmmalia
ound near Nnchcz; 2 Notes Nachcz Bluffs, by c. +.
orsby; 3, Notes on the Geology Of Mississippi by b. c.
:. Waits; and also remarks on the fossil nfnsorin found
spccimensfrom the above localities by
Professor RoGERs moved the following resolution
Resolved, That Committee be appointed with nstruc.
ions to inquire into the question Of the geological age
he Zcngedon and to report at the next annual meeting
If the association Adopted
Professor BAILEY read paper on some of the fossil CO.
liierous trees Of the United States
MIR. M. ID. WuIPrLE stated somo views on geology
which received very little Of the attention the audience
As far could apprchcnd his theory, he considered
he crust Of the earth at period TO be in the form
,astc, and the mountains prorudcd by the action OF
ome mechanical power; fire. he considered mechanical
bower, and the process he alluded to illustrated by
he effect produced by pressure red hot Of IRON
He asked the society TO show any good against