Describing new species in tabular format

[Margaret K. Thayer]

At 04:45 PM 06-01-1998 +0800, Stefan Revets wrote:
...

>Is it not the case that "a description or definition in words" is something
>different from a table? Therefore, can we please lay this suggestion of
>using tables to rest and quickly forget it was mentioned at all?

It depends on what is in the table! The code does not say the words have to
be arranged in sentences or paragraphs.  This simplified table

            head        prothorax       abdomen                 ...
species 1   quadrate    quadrate        twice as long as wide   ...
species 2   triangular  cordiform       as long as wide         ...
species 3   quadrate    transverse      wider than long         ...

describes and distinguishes clearly among the 3 species listed, using words.
Obviously these "descriptions" are unrealistically short for the purpose of
brevity in this example!

I don't feel strongly either way regarding the use of tables for
descriptions, there are practical problems with formating and printing large
tables, but I can't see any reason for eliminating the idea on the basis of
the Code(s).

Margaret K. Thayer      mthayer at fmnh.org  [note slight change of e-address]
Adjunct Curator  - Zoology, Insects
Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Rd @ Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60605, USA        http://www.fmnh.org
tel. 312-922-9410, ext. 838   fax 312-663-5397
***********************************************************
Coleopterists Society: http://www.auburn.edu/beetles/