A LOGICAL APPROACH TO THE CODE

Abstract

A system of taxonomic categories is clearly set forth in Chapter I, based on the principle that every plant is treated as belonging to a number of taxonomic groups of consecutively subordinate ranks, among which the rank of species is basic. formulation of names is based on two principles: that [scientific] names are Latin or are treated as Latin; and that names of taxa of the rank of genus and above are monomial, names of taxa of the rank of subgenus down to and including species are binomial, and names of taxa of the rank of subspecies and below are trinomial [the second principle is an extension of the concept of binomial nomenclature]. publication of names concerns the methods of dissemination which are accepted as making those names available for use by all botanists. principle of valid [including effective] publication forms the basis of this process. Unlike the preceding two operations, the next two operations are the concern of all botanists rather than just of the originators and publishers of names; they proceed in a vast field to which innumerable authors have contributed over a period of two centuries. application of names formerly was determined by the circumscription method, but the current Code unequivocally requires that names of taxa of the rank of order and below be applied in accordance with the type method. Finally, the selection of correct names is based on three principles: (i) that a taxonomic group with a given circumscription, position, and rank can bear only one correct name; (ii) that the selection of the correct name for a particular taxonomic group is based on priority of publication among names and epithets that are in accordance with the Code; and (iii) that priorability of names of taxa of the rank of order down to and including genus can be set aside by special legislation (conservation). In the Preamble it is stated that The Principles form the basis of the system of botanical nomenclature. A survey of the six principles set forth in the Paris Code reveals, however, that one of them (I) is an unintentional half-truth, one of them (III) is an ambiguous and partial statement of another (IV), while no mention is made of four fundamental concepts stated above which I consider worthy of recognition as principles. Although the Preamble rightly points out that botanical nomenclature deals with a system of taxonomic groups on the one hand and with names for particular groups on the other, the fundamental concept underlying the establishment of the system of categories is stated as a rule (Art. 2) rather than as a principle.