INSECTIVORA.
The nomenclature of the true Shrews has already been explained in 'The Zoologist.'[1] That of the Water Shrew unfortunately involves a change, for the name Neomys was proposed as a generic title for it in 1829,[2] while Crossopus only dates from 1832.
CARNIVORA.
The Scomber-scomber names in this group have already been referred to, and that of Putorius nivalis for the Weasel explained in 'The Zoologist.'[3]
Among the Pinnipedia, the vexed question of hispida versus fœtida for the Ringed Seal has been settled by Mr. Sherborn's researches on the dates of the plates of Schreber's 'Säugethiere,' which give hispida a year's priority over its rival.
Trichechus is now universally admitted (even by people who refuse to adopt the alteration involved) to have been based on the Manatee. It should not therefore be used for the Walrus.
RODENTIA.
The British Squirrel, Short-tailed Field Vole, and Common Hare have all lately been considered to be at least subspecifically different from the typical continental forms, as is also the Hebrides Field Mouse; while another form of Mus sylvaticus has been shown to be the same as the Danish "Mus flavicollis." These refinements, however, while of great interest to the technical student, do not directly affect the specific nomenclature, and need not therefore detain us here.
Among the Voles, it seems time that the generic separation of the Bank Vole from the others, long universally recognized by technical writers, should be adopted in more popular works. The
- ↑ 1895, p. 62.
- ↑ Kaup. Entwick. Europ. Thierw. p. 117, 1829. Leucorrhynchus, p. 118, and Hydrogale, p. 123, of the same work, become synonyms of Neomys. They would all antedate Crossopus. (See German text in BHL; Wikisource-Ed.)
- ↑ 1895, p. 177. In his adverse note on this paper, Mr. Harting ignores the fact that, in Scandinavia at least, the Weasel does usually have some black hairs at the end of its tail. Shortly after the paper was published Dr. Collett was good enough to send to the British Museum a Weasel agreeing exactly with Linnæus's diagnosis, and this specimen I should be delighted to show to anyone still doubtful about "Mustela nivalis."
