A New “Nomenclator Zoologicus”

Abstract

THE preparation of a new “Nomenclator Zoologicus”, announced in 1935, is now approaching completion. It constitutes an attempt to bring together the names of all the genera and subgenera in zoology that have been described from the tenth edition of Linnaeus, 1758, up to the end of the year 1935, with a bibliographical reference to the original description of each. It will also include the great maj ority of alternative spellings that have appeared during that period. Another feature that will, it is thought, be found valuable for systematists relates to cases where a new name has been proposed for a homonym. In these instances a cross-reference is given under the homonym to the new name. It is estimated that the work will comprise some 225,000 entries, of which about 5,000 appear to have been omitted from all previous publications of this character. It is proposed to publish the work in four volumes of nearly 1,000 pages each, which it is hoped it will be possible to issue at intervals of about six months. The Zoological Society of London has already borne the whole cost of preparation (approximately £1,800), but the Council of the Society does not feel justified in incurring further expenditure in respect of this enterprise, which would involve an additional £3,600. However, with the aid of various grants from outside sources, the editor, Dr. S. A. Neave, has now been able to arrange for the printing and publication of the work. It is proposed to publish it at the low advance subscription rate of six guineas, postage included, for the four volumes, provided that a sufficient number of undertakings to subscribe can be obtained. If these are adequate, it is hoped to issue the first volume during the coming summer. Subscriptions should be sent to Dr. S. A. Neave, Imperial Institute of Entomology, 41 Queen's Gate, London, S.W.7.