Nomenclature at the Zoological Congress

Abstract

CERTAIN proposals regarding zoological nomenclature, circulated by Dr. Franz Poche, of Vienna, and supported by many zoologists, may be worth discussing in the columns of NATURE. An appeal has been made to zoologists in general, because it has proved difficult to get matters submitted to the Zoological Congress through the Commission on Nomenclature owing to the rule that permitted a single member of the commission to block progress in this direction if he so desired. It is therefore proposed that propositions for the amendment of the existing rules must be submitted to the congress if they have been approved by a majority of the commission. There can be little doubt that this plan will receive the support of the congress, and in the absence of anything better, I have willingly voted for it. It must be acknowledged, however, that the vote of the congress, in open session, may not always represent the best considered opinions. I was present when the proposals of the Commission on Nomenclature were submitted to the Zoological Congress at Boston, and it seemed evident that the time and place were illsuited for the careful consideration of the subject. The commission had, indeed, held a special session during the congress, to which all zoologists were invited, but the attendance was sparse and not very representative.