The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-04
NATURALISTS GET
EXPERT OPINIONS
Decisions on Names by the
Geological Commission.
MANY DISPUTES ARE SETTLED
Institution Advises the
Students of Animal Life on Course
20 Pursue in Controversies InvOIv-
ing NOmenclRture-BOar IL I'M
portant Factor in Research.

One OF the most valuable features OF
international congresses is the creation
Of International committees for the pur-
pose OF discussing and reporting upon
questions Of dispute among their MEM
bers. many OF whom are Of differing na-
tionalities. This is conspicuously the case
with biologists. where questions involving
the proper use Of nomenclature is so
very important The development OF the
work Of the International Commission on
Geological Nomenclature is a striking
evidence OF this fact.
It's history is Of Interest An interna-
tional commission on geological nomen-
clature was appointed in 1895 by the
Third international Geological Congress,
held at Leyden. Holland There was
originally FIVE members. The commission
was directed to study the various codes
Of nomenclature and 10 report upon the
same 10 a later congress.
At the congress OF 1s9S the commission
was made a permanent body and IN
creased 70 fifteen members, who later
were divided into three classes OF five
commissioners each, each class TO serve
nine years
During the interval between the con-
crosses the commission has been in cor
respondence. It has held one meeting be-
tween congresses and regular meetings
during the triennial congresses. As a re-
suit OF its labOrs the original Paris
Moscow code was taken as the basis. ard
with certain amendments was adopted BY
the international congress. Amendments
were ,, scented by the commission to the
Boston congress and were adopted.
Amendments Must Wait.
The Berlin meeting adopted a rule that
no amendment to the code should there
after be presented 70 any congress for
vote unless said amendment was in the
hands Of the commission at least one
year prior 10 the meeting Of the con-
gress 20 which Il was proposed 20 present
the amendment.
Prior 10 the Boston congress a desire
had developed among biologists that the
commission should serve as court for
the Interpretation OF the code. and in &C
cordance Herewith the commission pre-
sented 70 the Boston congress i've opIn-
ions. which were ratified by the congress.
Since the Boston meeting a number OF
questions on nomenclature have been SUBJ
mitted 10 the commission for opinion
Owing 10 the amount OF time consumed
in communicating with the fifteen com
missiOners. It was impossible 10 act
promptly upon these cases. but in the
winter OF 1sO9-19lO the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition gave a grant TO provide for the
clerical work. and since that time it has
been possible 10 render the opinions more
promptly.
The commission has no legislative
power. Its powers are restricted TO
studying questions OF nomenclature. 10
reporting upon such questions TO the IN
ternational congress. and TO rendering
opinions upon cases submitted TO II.
First Opinions Issued.
The Smithsonian Institution has now
undertaken the publication of these opin-
ions up TO a certain point Publication
No. 1855. entitled Opinions Rendered by
the International Commission on Zoo
logical Nomenclature" has just been is
sued by the Smithsonian Institution, and
gives the first twenty-five opinions rem
dered by this commission.
The following is the method 10 be
adopted in submitting cases for opinion.
and biologists will aid the commission in
its work If they will bear in mind the
following points;
The commission does not undertake 70
act as photographic or nomenclatural
bureau. but rather as an adviser in con-
nection with the more difficult and dis
puted cases Of nomenclature.
All cases submitted should be accom-
panied by a concise statement Of the
point at issue. with the full arguments
on both sides, in case a disputed point
is involved. and complete and exact blbli-
ographic references TO every book or
article bearing on the point at issue
OF necessity, cases submitted with In
complete photographic references can not
be studied. and must be returned by the
commission TO the sender
Cases upon which an opinion Is desired
may be sent to any member OF the COM
mission, but in order that the work OF
the commission may be confined as much
as possible TO the more difficult and the
disputed cases it is urged that biologists
study the code and settle for themselves
as many cases as possible.