236 LEAFLETS. 
tations in philosophy; and so does the following : “ Bossekia is 
not properly published,” etc. Mark the distinction. It is not 
said that Bossekia is not published, but only that its publication 
is not “properly” made; is not, as to form and method, con- 
formed to the newest and latest edition of a certain “Code.” One 
not too near-sighted must readily foresee here the open door to 
utter lawlessness as to the adoption of generic names. Under 
the distinction made, each earlier edition of Linnaeus’ great 
Genera Plantarum may be closed and shelved. Genera may not 
be cited from it, because, though adequately published, they are 
not “properly ” published! This thing has already been done, 
and I now see why. Again, and for a different illustration. 
All the new genera of Bentham, published in his Genera Plan- 
tarum, without naming species, have no status as genera. To 
the man who first identifies, by sure and certain inference, the 
species of such genus and gives them names, and not to Bentham, 
will be ascribed the authorship of each such genus! If he choose 
to ignore Bentham’s generic name and coin a new one, Mr. Ryd- 
berg will adopt that new one, (despite his own saying that the 
law of priority is fundamental), and relegate the prior name to 
Synonymy. In the case of Necker’s genera, I may prove to all 
the botanical world the identity of one of his genera, declaring 
its type beyond all question. Mr. Rydberg may admit that it is 
published, but not “ properly,” and uphold stubbornly his own 
synonym of that genus, and make Necker’s clearly published 
name the synonym. This will be lawlessness; and I shall look 
for a flood of it. 
I am under renewed obligations to the writer in Torreya. He 
has lightened the darkness of my former ignorance about Dali- 
barda, He has given me a fine array of texts—several here 
unnoted—to head some chapters of a partly written volume. 
Since the first reading of his paper I enjoy a deeper insight into 
the meaning of that ancient worthy who once exclaimed : 
“Oh! that mine adversary had written a book! ” 
