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57. BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE. 
Noone whohas had any experiencein the progress of Botany, 
as à science, can doubt that it has been more impeded in this 
country by the repulsive appearance of the names that it em- 
ploys than by any other cause whatever ; and that, in fact, this 
circumstance has proved an invincible obstacle to its becoming 
the serious occupation of those who are unacquainted with 
the learned languages, or who, being acquainted with them, 
are fastidious about euphony, and Greek or Latin purity. 
So strongly has the author been impressed with the truth of 
this view, that on many occasions he has endeavoured to 
substitute English names for the Latin or Greek compounds, 
by which the Genera of plants are distinguished. Upon 
turning over the late volumes of the Botanical Register 
many such instances will be found ; as for example— 
Peach-Myrtle for Hypocalymma, 
Swan-neck å Cycnoches, 
- Gritberry » * Comarostaphylis, 
Red-coat > Erythrochiton, 
Pouch-bell 7 Glossocomia, 
Snowwort j Niphæa, 
Glory-tree e Clerodendron, 
Stylewort i Stylidium, 
Hair-orchis ES Trichosma, 
Reed-orchis 9 Arundina. 
And so on, in imitation of the well-known and usual English 
words Houndstongue, Loosestrife, Bugloss, Soapwort, Hare- 
bell, &c. He cannot, however, boast of any success in these 
feeble attempts at reforming a great evil, nor perhaps ought 
he to have expected it. If these names are not universally 
adopted, it is to be suspected that the circumstance is trace- 
able to the indifference of the public to such partial and 
inconsiderable changes, which are unseen in the ocean of 
Botanical nomenclature. That they are important must be 
admitted ; that the person most careless as to the difficulties 
of articulation would prefer to speak of a Fringe- Myrtle 
rather than of a Chamælaucium, or of a Gritberry than of a 
Comarostaphylis, will probably be allowed on all hands ; and 
therefore the author does not confess discouragement at 
failure; but would rather invite suggestions as to the most 
probable means of success. - | 
