The Rules of Zoological Nomenclature

Abstract

AS already announced in NATURE, the International Zoological Congress will meet at Padua next September. A week before the Congress opens, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature will resume its sittings so as to report to the Congress on numerous cases that have been submitted for its opinion and on certain important proposals that have been under consideration since the last Congress. It is useful to remember that this Commission has carried on its work continuously since its appointment in 1895. Even during the War its members were in correspondence, and, though a longer interval than usual elapsed between the Congresses, there was no break of any kind. The composition of the Commission of eighteen members has continued subject to the bye-laws, according to which members are elected for a term of nine years and one-third retire triennially. Thus the wisdom of experience is seasoned with new ideas. Criticism has been levelled at the constitution of the Commission, but it is difficult to devise any better method. Great care is taken that the various branches of systematic zoology and the different parts of the world should be represented. A commissioner must be interested in the subject and must have access to a good library, but no attempt is made to seek out the holders of particular opinions.