GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

4.4.2.3. Common, simple and alternative names
Common or vernacular names may take many forms.
e.g. Devil's toe-nail 'Osses 'Ed Fool's Gold
Shepherd's Crown Bull's Heart Kidney Ore
Thunderbolt Lampshell Cat's-eye
Whilst a knowledge of local and folk-lore names is of considerable interest, such a
name should only be recorded in documentation when it has been specifically
referred to a specimen by the donor or finder. Simple names may be specific to
particular types of specimen but not scientifically formalised.
e.g. flexible sandstone
Fontainebleau sandstone
emerald pearl
giant gabbro
Alternative names may be firmly based on informed scientific opinion, but
indicating uncertainty, inability or unwillingness to proceed further with the
identification,
e.g. cheirurid trilobite
actinopterygian fish
stigmarian axis
chelonian scute
In certain cases, such names may be used in place of the full name where a
binomial or other name has not been determined. In addition, alternative names
may include synonyms, especially in mineralogy where, unlike palaeontology, a
new name does not imply a change of indentification, merely a formalization of
terms.
The curator should also be aware that in palaeontology, Linnean nomenclature
is not the only one in current or recent use. Alphanumeric identifiers have been
used for fossil pollen and spores and a pseudo-Linnean system is used for trace
fossils. In certain cases such names might be regarded as 'full names', in the
absence of others.
4.4.2.4. Previous identijications
A record of any name that has ever been given to a specimen should be made.
Previous names are part of the history of a specimen and are of value in linking
them to old and re-discovered records. They are of particular importance to
palaeontology since the opinion of an early worker may be of significance to a
modern one.
4.4.2.5. Zdentijier and date
The emphasis placed on the recording of any name that has been given to a
specimen applies equally to the recording of the name of the person who has
identified the specimen, and the date on which the identification was made.
Identifications may link with Examination Labels (see B1.3.4.3(1)), and other
documentation such as correspondence, visitors' book, etc.