>  Actually all of the synonyms are valid names, though it is inappropriate
> to use all but the oldest... which is pumicea. There are currently set
> rules for this kind of thing, though I know that these are going to
> change (for the worse, unfortunately).

Andrew has touched on a separate issue that has always bothered me. Using
this definition of VALID name means you have to know all the synonyms that
pertain to a species, some numbering into the dozens. This complicates an
already unmanageable situation beyond all necessity. What do we call the
single currently CORRECT or APPROPRIATE or TRUE name of a species?

John Wolff
Lancaster, PA