obscure publications

[JOSEPH E. LAFERRIERE]

People continue to write to me off-list concerning
obscure publications. I thank all those who have done
so. A few comments:
    In my interpretation of the term "library" in
the ICBN phrase "library accessible to botanists
gernerally," I would certainly view a set of
bookshelves in the back of a herbarium as a library,
so long as the herbarium allows visiting scholars
to use the facilities (according to the "accessible"
term in the ICBN). This would in no way, however,
remove the prohibition against exsiccata. Something
would still have to be printed and offered for
distribution to other institutions.
   One person told me a story I am wondering whether
someone can either refute or confirm. This person
told me that there is a species of insect whose
official lace of initial publication is a book of
comic drawings ("Best of Far Side" by Gary Larson).
According to this story, an entomologist was a fan
of Larson's work and wanted to name the species
after him. He sent a letter to Larson informing him
of this. Larson published the letter and the photograph
of the insect. Since this appeared in print before
the technical description, it has priority. This
is to me just a rumor. Can anyone inform me as to
the validity of this?

--
Dr. Joseph E. Laferriere
who believes very strongly that one should
not have opinions.