Hi, Paul. I didn't want people to rush out and buy an expensive book unless
they had the fortitude to read a legal code. And it does take fortitude, in
either French or English. To those who are interested in taxonomy: Please
get a book on general taxonomy before tackling the Code. The Code doesn't
include sufficient explanation of why the rules were set up or how they
work.

As to names erected by accident, it does occur sometimes. The classic
"oops" is the deliberate use of an incorrect name. Suppose that C. Smith
(1882) names a new species, Meeya meefla. Another author, let's call her C.
Mell (1930), applies the name incorrectly but sincerely. Then a third
author, L. Jestocost (1965), realizes C. Mell's error but also wants to
point out the relationship between her specimens and his own. He publishes
them in a new genus, Abbadingo, with type species "Meeya meefla sensu (in
the sense of) Mell, 1930". Woops! According to Article 11i of the ICZN, he
has just not only erected a new genus, but also a new species to be
credited not to Mell (1930), but to Jestocost (1965). Not what he had in
mind, and frankly I find this rule distasteful, but that's show business.

Be that as it may, accidental names are not as common as some people
claim.The ICZN states at the outset that it excludes names proposed "as a
means of temporary reference and not for formal taxonomic use as scientific
names in zoological nomenclature", which I interpret to include names
proposed as jokes, names proposed in non-scientific publications (a
category that is open to debate!), and names proposed in textbooks to show
students how it is done, among others. Electronic publication, of course,
is also ruled out, so don't worry about the inadvertent publication of
"Meeya meefla" as a new name.

Well, me buckos, it's time to bow out for a while. I will be out of the
office for a few weeks to take care of some family matters.

Best wishes & Abrazos,
Andy

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama