Abstract
UNDER this titler the Council of the Royal Entomological Society of London has decided to issue, in parts as completed, a work designed to promote stability in the use of scientific nomenclature as applied to the insects of Great Britain. The scheme has been entrusted to a Committee on Generic Nomenclature, under the chairmanship of Sir Guy Marshall, with the assistance of the entomologists at the British Museum (Natural History). The terms of reference involve the preparation of “lists of scientific names to be fixed as genotypes of genera of British insects with a view to the suspension where necessary of the law of priority in respect of those generic names”. The separate orders of insects are being dealt with by small panels of specialists acting as sub-committees of the central committee. The first list of generic names to be published under this scheme is entitled “The Generic Names of the British Rhopalocera with a. Check List of the Species” (Feb. 1934) by Mr. Francis Hemmmg, and is to be obtained, price 3s. 6d., from the Society at 41, Queen's Gate, S.W.7. In this publication, the authority for fixing the genotype is given in each case, followed by the chief synonyms and the accepted names of the British species, for each genus concerned. There follow, wherever necessary, notes on special questions of nomenclature that may arise. In the case of four generic names, namely, Argynnis, Vanessa, Strymon and Colias, it is contended that the strict application of the rules of nomenclature should be suspended since, otherwise, it would involve the disturbance of these long-established names to no real advantage. The whole undertaking should prove a useful guide to all entomologists and a strong incentive towards the attainment of uniformity.
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Generic Names of British Insects. Nature 134, 456 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/134456a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/134456a0