Re: Generic Name: plural form
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Generic Name: plural form
- From: "* a* C* W* <c*@cache.net>
- Date: Sat, 1 Mar 1997 18:39:50 -0700 (MST)
On 1 Mar 97 Tom T. Little wrote (in response to Clarence Mahan and Paul
Richardson):
> >
> I believe that is correct. All through the middle ages and into the 19th
> century, it was common practice to pluralize a one-letter abrreviation by
> doubling the letter. We still have it in "pp" but not too many other
> places. I have seen it often in botanical names, though, and presumed it
> was the usual style to use in that context. In any case, I'm sure it's an
> editorial practice rather than having anything to do with botanical Latin
> per se.
I believe the convention of indicating the plural by doubling the first
letter of a word traces back to the carving of Roman inscriptions where it
was a useful labor and space saving device.
With precedents like these, Clarence should have no trouble in convincing
his editor of the correctness of the practice, especially when applied in a
Latin context.
Jeff Walters in northern Utah (Zone 4)
cwalters@cache.net
"This is the Place" - Iris danfordiae showing color in the bud!
