A new method of writing trinomials
This short note by J. C. Moulton, published in JSBRAS Vol. 85 (1922), addresses typographic conventions for writing trinomial (subspecies) names in zoological literature.
Summary
Moulton responds to criticism of his proposed method for writing trinomials, arguing that small capitals (or Clarendon) for the genus and species combined, with italics for the subspecies, is preferable to capitals and small capitals because capitals are frequently needed for subfamily names in systematic lists (p. 209). He further advises that authors’ names should be omitted in general writing and reserved for systematic lists or detailed monographs, and that for general purposes it often suffices to give only the specific name without the subspecific name (p. 209).
The note also extends the conventional abbreviation system (e.g., E. maximus for Elephas maximus) to the subspecific level, yielding forms such as E. m. sumatranus for general use, while the full systematic form ELEPHAS MAXIMUS Linn. sumatranus Temm. is reserved for lists approved by the British Association Committee on Zoological Bibliography and Publication (p. 209).