Sunday 2 October 2011

Old codes

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is the document that details the rules of how the scientific names of animals are managed. It's a complex document with a rich history, and it is necessary to consult previous editions for correct knowledge as to the reasoning behind some of the provisions of the code. Old editions tend to be fairly hard to come by, but thankfully the Biodiversity Heritage Library has them digitised and on the interweb for all to enjoy. Thus, it holds copies of the first (1961), second (1964), third (1985), and fourth (current, 1999) editions are all available. The current edition is also available from the official website as an indexed html version.

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