Just to be sure we all understand where the Rules stand on this issue of apparently feminine names, here's what the Rules say in Recommendation 20A: 20A.1. Authors forming generic names should comply with the following advice: (a-h omitted here) i) To give a feminine form to all personal generic names, whether they commemorate a man or a woman (see Rec. 60B). Jim McKenney Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where I'm wondering if maybe we should take up a collection to buy new calling cards for Mons. Balansa with the Mons. bolded. Jim McKenney