Dear All,
Just written a paper on Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It has
been suggested that the correct English should be Douglas-fir, with a
hyphen, the reason being that Douglas is not a true fir (Abies). I
would argue that there is no "correct" English, and that the Latin
binomial defines the plant we are working on.
Looking in books and on the internet you do find both versions, but is
one more correct than the other???
Best Wishres,
Martin Hodson

schreef
Dear All,
Just written a paper on Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It has
been suggested that the correct English should be Douglas-fir, with a
hyphen, the reason being that Douglas is not a true fir (Abies). I
would argue that there is no "correct" English, and that the Latin
binomial defines the plant we are working on.
Looking in books and on the internet you do find both versions, but is
one more correct than the other???
Best Wishres,
Martin Hodson

***
That is a very complex question.
A lot will depend on your audience, and what you mean by "English".
For a similar case look at western redcedar (versus western red cedar)
PvR

This same issue was discussed here Dec. 10, 2003 under the topic
Osage-orange versus Osage orange. I agree with your position. Given
that common names are not standardized or regulated as are scientific
names, it is impractical to impose a complex hyphenation rule.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/... 845f8fb0e976

David R. Hershey

Douglas is Scottish n'est pas?
Then it must be Douglas Fur.


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oups.com...
Dear All,
Just written a paper on Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). It has
been suggested that the correct English should be Douglas-fir, with a
hyphen, the reason being that Douglas is not a true fir (Abies). I
would argue that there is no "correct" English, and that the Latin
binomial defines the plant we are working on.
Looking in books and on the internet you do find both versions, but is
one more correct than the other???
Best Wishres,
Martin Hodson