Maynard (1919b:48) first used the binomen S. scalariformis together with a citation for illustrations that were issued later (Maynard, 1920d: pl. 1, figs. 5, 6), along with the intended taxon description.  The usage of the name in 1919 is a nomen nudum. Article 10.1.1 (ICZN, 1999:9) states that if publication of the data relating to a new nominal taxon or a nomenclatural act is interrupted and continued at a later date, the name or act becomes available only when the requirements of the relevant Articles have been met.  Thus, the name S. scalariformis becomes available on September 30, 1920, upon publication of the illustrations, but does not have priority over the intended taxon description of S. scalariformis Maynard and Clapp in Maynard, 1920, which was published together with the relevant illustrations.

Maynard (1924:165) described in detail the locality in which these fossils were collected.   Clench & Aguayo (1951) considered Cerion scalariforme to be a synonym of Cerion asperum (Maynard & Clapp, 1920).