electronic publication

[Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.]

I am a botanist.  According to the International Code of Botanical
Nomenclature, electronic publication of new taxa and new names is
invalid.

In 1992 and 1993, I published the following articles and book:
  Kirkbride, J.H., Jr.  1992.  Database of Native distributions for
    _Cucumis_.  Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative 15: 45-47, 5.25 inch,
    1.2 megabyte microcomputer diskette.
  Kirkbride, J.H., Jr.  1992.  Interactive microcomputer database for
    identification of _Cucumis_.  Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative 15:
    48-50, 5.25 inch, 1.2 megabyte microcomputer diskette.
  Kirkbride, J.H., Jr.  1993.  Biosystematic monograph of the genus
    _Cucumis_ (Cucurbitaceae), 159 pages, 5.25 inch, 1.2 megabyte
    microcomputer diskette.  Boone: Parkway Publishers.
My monograph of _Cucumis_ included 1 new section, 5 new series, 4 new
species, 2 new combinations and new statuses, and 1 new name.  I
published my data in electronic format in the journal Cucurbit
Genetics Cooperative, a diskette accompanied the journal issue, and as
a book-plus-diskette, to reach as wide an audience as possible.  All of
the names, including the new ones, descriptive data, and collection
data in my monograph of _Cucumis_ were available electronically in
1992 in the journal Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative.  The new names were
not validly published until 1 April 1993 when the monograph in book
form was distributed by the publisher.

I did not intend to have the new taxa and names appear prior to the
printed monograph; it happened because of reviewers' and publisher's
delays.  I consider the new taxa and names to be effectively and
validly published 1 April 1993, not in 1992.

Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory
Room 304, Building 011A, BARC-West
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350 USA
Voice telephone: 301-504-9447
FAX: 301-504-5810
Internet: jkirkbri at asrr.arsusda.gov