Re: Correction and Question

[NJPharris@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/2/00 4:56:05 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
LOKICORP@compuserve.com writes:

>         A quick question:  since most of the croc workers out there are
>  using "Crocodylia" instead of "Crocodilia," I assume the former is correct,
>  but it only seems to be in the last few years that the former took
>  precedence over the latter spelling.  What's the story behind the change?

I don't know what the deal is with "Crocodylia", but "Crocodilia" is 
definitely the more correct spelling as far as the Greek is concerned.  The 
Greek word in question is "krokodeilos"; in transliteration into Latin, k's 
are normally changed to c's and "ei" is often rendered "i", giving the Latin 
transliteration "crocodilus".  "Y" was a completely different vowel sound in 
ancient Greek.

Answering the questions you were afraid to ask (because you were afraid 
somebody might actually answer)...

--Nick P.