italicization of family names

[JOSEPH E. LAFERRIERE]

> one could make the point that families were traditionally
>  named in the language of the country (e.g. Papaveraceen,
> papaverac=E9es), and
>  that families are spelled the same in English as in Latin. It is a silly
>  argument, but possibly true. :-)

Fascinating point, not nearly as silly as you suggest. I have
seen this spelled "Die Papaveraceen" in German-language publications
and "Las Papaveraceas" in Mexican literature. English is one
of the few languages around with a tendency to adopt foreign
plurals along with foreign singulars. My esteemed colleague
Jacques Melot made the point last week that in French the plural of
"le taxon" is simply "les taxons." Noone would even consider
"les taxa."

--
Dr. Joseph E. Laferriere
"Computito ergo sum ...  I link therefore I am."