30 SEPTEMBER 1989, Page 27

Germ of an idea

Sir: Mr Richards (Letters, 19 August) says too little in stating that 'there is nothing wrong with "viruses" ' as the plural of "virus" '. Since the word has no plural at all in Latin, the English plural can hardly be anything else.

One might also rebuke John Glashan (5 August) for ignorance of Dr Kennedy's `gender rhymes' — that masterpiece of Victorian versification. Under the title of `2nd Declension Exceptions' the great headmaster-poet of Shrewsbury wrote . . Neuter "pelagus" and "virus";

"vulgus" neuter commonly, rarely masculine we see.'

Talking of ancient plurals, I recall a. journalist of the Daily Express using 'kudo', as the singular of 'kudos'.

P. O'R. Swiley

Ampleforth, Yorkshire