The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-10
NEW HAVEN, TUESDAY, May d, lSi5.

After the minutes were read, and slightly aitereu
t1e suggestion of several members,
ER JACKSON arose to thank the Society warmly
n the unexpected honor conferred upon HIM tn
by before in his election to the office OF Preslden
n the ensuing year; and to assure them that, !
rovidence permitted, he would be at his post, ant
e all his efforts to promote the harmony and pros
rity Of the Society
PRoF. RoDGERs moved that committee shoulC
appointed to petition the Legislature on the sub
st of the distributions OF the report OF the Geolo
cal Survey The motion was adopted, and Profs
Dgers and Silliman, and DR.. Jackson, were nomi
ted as the committee.
MIR. j. d. DANA rose on behalf OF the committee
pointed to revise the scientific nomenclature, a.
fined by the rules OF the British Association
hey suggested their proposed alterations In the fol
wing report, which, upon motion, 1t was resolved
submit to the three scientific Societies of New
brk, Boston, and Philadelphia, for their approval
such amendments as they might think proper to
ggest.
LAW OF PRIORITY WITH ITS LIMITATIONS.
The name originally given to group, or species,
its founder, should be retained, to the exclusion
all subsequent synonymes
The systematic nomenclature having originated
tn LinnHus, this last law is not to extend to the
fittings of antecedent authors.
In the progress of science, 1t often becomes me-
ssary to restrict or extend the characteristics of
nus, or to subdlvide II into several genera. The
lowing principles bearing upon the above law,
ould be adopted in making such changes.
a. When several smaller genera are united IN
the name of the earliest, if otherwise unob-
Rfonable, should be selected as the name of the
hole group.
B.-When genus is subdivded the original generic
should not be cancelled but should be retained fol-
at portion of it which was considered typical by the
thor; If the evidence to the original type is not
and indsputabc, it may be given to any portion
I'D their given should be afterwards retained
C.-When generic name has synonyme exactly
uivacnt to it in its original application in making
bdvison of the genus, this synonyme should not be
opted for either Of the new genera formed, except
erent section of the genus from that Of the other
both these sections are elevated to genera For in
hnce, the genus Monaulus" Of Viellot, Csl6) is a
ecise equivalent to - OF Temmenck, (Sl3) both
thors having adopted the species their type
therefore, when the latter genus came, in the course
time to be divided into two, it was incorrect to give
condemned name, Monaulus," to one Of the por-
ms. The " GIdemia" and sMclanetha," were
ginaily synonyms, but their respective types were
ently in raising these two sections to genera their
mes are retained for the groups.
There are other limitations Of the law Of priority ars-
from the violation of the rules of proprety in the
bduction Of terms. They as follow:
A-Names given to species or groups unaccompanied
published descriptions should yield place to the ear
st name accompanying such description.
II has been customary for some naturalists to give
mes to species in their cabinets in published caa-
mes This is not i sufficient that
Q description appear in public newspaper, or in a
urnal not widely known for its scientific character.
name of species already in for another species
the saf.e genus, should be changed ALSO generic
line in zoology before employed for genus in the
me kingdom should be changed and the same in the
tanical kingdom. A name glaringly opposed in its
nication to the essential characteristics Of species
group and likely to propagate important errors should
changed.
Such terms as monodon Capremulgus Paradisia apoda
d monoculers have acquired sufficient currency no
hger to error and therefore retained without
convenience. Names derived from localities where the
ccimens found to have wider limits should still be
tanned But when we find Batrachan reptile named
violation of its true afinities Mastodon sau'us. or
hen is derived from accidental monstrosity,
in Picus Semiroses of Linn9us, and HELM disjuncta.
enton another should be substituted This privi
BE should be allowed only in extreme cases
When the name of species is afterwards made the
me of genus, including that species, new specific
pme should be given.
The generic name, Pyrrhocorar was called by Linn
his Pyrrhocorax. It, therefore, became necessary to
ange the specific NAME and .apinus was substituted.
practice Of thus elevating specific names to genercs
had one Objected to in one Of the sections below.
LAWS WITH REGARD TO ORTHoGRAPHY.
writing systematic names, the rules OF
orthography should be adhered to- except
Termination should be Latinized Proper nantes
q. idviduals would often become unntelligble
irodifed to conform throughout Latin or
fbraphy. We should not recognize Knight, Wood
a.di in the words Cnich Tudrard But words OF bar
fous origin having no fixed photography are more phi
e and hence, when adopted into the Latin should De
ndered classical in appearance as is consistent with
he preservation Of the original sound
In compound ing two Greek words the first of the two
houd have the form of the genitiye case dropping only
Ne terminal consonant
In compromising two Latin words the same rule should
|e followed except that should be substituted when
he gentve ends in Pennatormfs should be Penni-
|ormis.
Words Of different languages must never be compound
ID together.
Specific Names derived from locality, should termi
late in ensis.
specific names derived from names of persons when in
|onor of the discover should end in the genitive
Tut when in compliment to person not discovsrer,
he adjective should end in anus.
Prof RoGERs condemned the of unnecessary names,
l0rc- IN
shch naturalist very prone to give the names Of
heir friends to species, and he hoped the committee
oud recommend in their report the abolition OF this in
|umbrance to science.
Prof HALpnMAs observed that in the report of the Br
ksh Association which widely circulated they sug
tested that unmcaning Of this description should
Il printed commencing with small letter; now this
(ulaon he in favor Of as efecual remedy
he bestowal Of such names by misunderstanding would
lot consider any great compliment to their friends to
lave their placed in position OF studied OBSCURE
y. His prof II s) had been given to several small
[nmas. Uaughter) But he expected to see It redeem
bd from the (by means ustri0us association by the
use of the small letter
MIR. WHELrLEy always Of opinion that science pu-
bed itself; and matter what names were given II
hey did not possess meaning they would not last fifty
Jears. The evil discussed would correct ITSELF
Prof ROGERS moved that the report should be recon-
nittcd with the recommendation that the committee
should adopt in the report the usage Of the British Bsso
citation in regard to the small letter. Adopted
The Secretary read letter from Lieut. Johnson dated
Fort Washta, 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 some remarks some Of the
callc ores Of Mine La Nottc in Missouri and followed
am by reading letter from DR. Dickson, of Natchez,
ted April 10, isi5 the Nachez bluffs, with some
anton OF a nondescrip animal OF the class Mammala,
und near Nachez; . Notes on Nachez BUNS, py T. r.
orsby 8, Notes on the Geology Of Mississippi py {;
Waits; and also remarks the fossil inusoria found
specimensirom the above ocalties by ProfessorBaey
Professor RocERs moved the following resolution
Resolved That Committee be appointed with instruc-
lions to inquire into the question of the geological age
Inc Zengedo and TO report at the next annual meeting
ktheessociation Adopted.
ofessor BAILEY read paper some Of the fossil CO
erous trees Of the United States.
Dr. Nj. ID. WHirrLE stated some new views on geology,
ch received vesy little Of the attention Of the audience
far as we could apprehend his theory he considered
nc crust Of the earth at period to be in the form OF
ste and the protraded by the acton Of
me mechanical power fire, he considercda mechanical
wer and the process he alluded to was illustrated by
effect produced by pressure on a red hot mass OF IRON
asked the society TO show any good reason ag ainst
positions, and was, he said anxious for discussion;
whether they took up the question or not he had IN
a a work which would shortly appear He thenread