Cave nomenclature : a naturalist point of view

This article deals with (i) the general rules of creating the names for particular caves, and (ii) terminology which is used to define and categorize subterranean cavities. Two rules, which are in common usage in stratigraphy and, to some extent, also in biological nomenclature, should also concern cave names. They are the following: the principle of priority and the principle of stability of a geographic name which is a part of compound names of a particular cave. Other aspects discussed in the articles are meanings of different terms used for classification of underground spaces. In the author’s opinion a cave is a general term depicting all underground spaces which are accessible for man. Several examples of cave names from Poland are given and discussed.