(Fwd) ICBN Articles 33.2 & 33.3

[Patrick Perret]

Dear Taxacomers,

I see no problem with Art. 33.2 and 33.3 of ICBN.

Each one deals with special points which have no connections.

Art. 33.2:
As the code is a guide to a "precise and simple system of nomenclature" it
needs precise and simple rules "to put order" (see the Preambule of ICBN).
The aim of Art. 33.3 is to provide such order by giving the exact and
univocal citation of the place of publication of a basionym. The precise
wording of the article and of the note 1 is the perfect example of what is,
I presume you will agree, a "good" rule.

Now Art. 33.3:
An other important aim of the ICBN is to contribute to the stability of
nomenclature. What is in question in Art. 33.3  is: what will happen to a
name when its basionym (I choose this example), the name which bears the
same epithet, which has the same type, is cited from a publication which is
not the first in term of priority but where it is, also, validly published.

Or what will happen in the case of the wrong spelling of the basionym  in
other respects correctly cited? Or in the case of badly stated dates of
publication?

Is this name invalid? Our predecessors decided that it was unnecessary to
change the priority and they accept the validity of the name. Doing so they
avoided changes which by sure could be frequent, just remember the problem
of the knowledge of the precise dates of publication before and after the
publication of TL-2 (Stafleu & Cowan)!

In summary, Art.33.2: a precise and simple rule. Art. 33.3: a way to
provide stability in nomenclature as the result has no ill-fated
consequential effects on other rules.

Of course I disagree with Dr. Vincent when he wrote that the citation of
the basionym is a way to get xerox copies of a protologue. The problem
exists by it is not resolved by ICBN!!!

Your comments are welcome.

P. Perret

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick Perret
Conservatoire et jardin botaniques de la ville de Gen=E8ve
case postale 60
CH-1292 Chamb=E9sy/GE
t=E9l. +41 22 418 51 85
fax +41 22 418 51 01
email perret at cjb.unige.ch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------