Dear All,

Just recently, I have heard of the strangest fundraising effort for
taxonomic research. I had to read it twice, and walk over to the calendar
to make sure it was not April Fools Day, but I tried the E-mail address at
the bottom, and it seems to be for real!

This is the message I received:

snip...
*******************************************************

Become Immortal!

Have a newly discovered invertebrate species named after you.

Help us understand and conserve Australia’s unique creatures.
______________________________________________________
Entirely New Species!

When new species are discovered they need to be named. Choosing the name
is up to the scientist naming it. This name, once given, is bonded to
the creature and is used forever. In no uncertain terms this name
becomes immortal.

Traditionally, around the world, the vital process of discovery and
naming has been supported by benefactors who understand the need to
document unique creatures.

In turn, the tradition has been to honour the benefactor by naming the
species after them as an eternal statement of gratitude.

Some species that are still to be named may even live in your backyard.
In Australia, many species are being lost before we even know they
exist.
__________________________________________________________
Get involved!

A donation of $5000 is all you need to become part of the Immortals
Program and have your name, or a name of your choice,
used to identify a newly discovered animal forever.
__________________________________________________________
Discovering and naming Australia’s unique creatures needs your
assistance. Become a benefactor by becoming involved in the Immortals
Program.

Benefits of the Immortals Program:

Your name can be preserved forever in the annals of science as it will
become the world recognised name for that species.  Alternatively, you
can choose the name of a friend or relative to bestow upon the animal
which has been allocated to you.*

You will receive a special commemorative certificate, a framed
illustration and details of the invertebrate animal that has been named
after you.

You will be publicly recognised for your assistance in the discovery,
description and protection of Australia’s animals by inclusion on the
Immortals Program list publicly displayed in the Australian Museum.

You will become an automatic member of The Australian Museum Society
(TAMS) with all its benefits, including free Museum entry for one year,
special events and a subscription to Nature Australia magazine.

Donations are tax deductible.**

*Within the guidelines of the International Code of Zoological
Nomenclature.  No offensive wording will be accepted.
**Subject to government tax regulations including the Goods and Services
Tax.

To become involved in the Immortals Program, or for further information
contact the Australian Museum:

Immortals Program
Australian Museum
6 College St
Sydney  2010

Phone: 02 9320 6277
Fax: 9320 6074
Email: [log in to unmask]

************************************************************************
snip....

Now! What do you all make of that? Is it really necessary for institutes go
to such lengths to fund taxonomic research (or lower themselves to such
depths I can hear some of you say). Is our human vanity so great that we
will pay this much money just to see our names in print? Or, is the
knowledge of latin of our upcoming taxonomists so lacking that they cannot
think of another way to name species (not a friendly suggestion I must
confess, but jump on me if the contrary is true)?

Patty

P.S. This is NOT a hoax