Explanation concerning the initial letter of specific names based on personal names
Bonnet, P.
Bull Soc Ent France 58(8): 113-124
1953
Document Number: 424217
This article begins with a general review of the history of the use of capital and small letters, from the use of only capitals by the Romans on their monuments, through the development of small letters on manuscript writing. Particular attention is given to the history of the use of capitals or small letters in zoological literature, with many quotations. Finally, a detailed explanation is given of the reasons which led to the new rule, appended to article 13 of the International Rules for Zoological Nomenclature, that all generic names should begin with a capital, but all specific names with a small letter. Arguments against this procedure are considered fully, and their inapplicability or inadequacy shown.