Hi Rick, It is an official recommendation (60F) of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature that all specific and infraspecific epithets begin with a small (lower case) initial letter but if people want to name something using a persons name or vernacular (non-latin) name they can do so. If you wnat the exact wording, let me know. Les Mehrhoff At 10:29 AM 1/18/01 -0500, you wrote: >If a species is named after a person, would one capitalize the specific >name, e.g., Prenanthes Boottii? > >-- >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * >Rick Speer [log in to unmask] >Lewiston Public Library http://www.lplonline.org >200 Lisbon Street Voice: (207) 784-0135, Ext.208 >Lewiston, Maine 04240 Fax: (207) 784-3011 >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise" Aldo Leopold in "The Land Ethic" Leslie J. Mehrhoff, Ph.D. Curator, G. Safford Torrey Herbarium Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Box U-43 75 North Eagleville Road Storrs, CT 06269-3043 Herbarium phone (860) 486-1889 Office phone (860) 486-5708 FAX (860) 486-6364