32 Rhodora [MAncH 
the leading botanical establishments of the world, to botanical and 
natural history societies and academies, and finally to all those botan- 
nists who had offered amendments to the older code. Circular after 
circular was issued and it would be difficult to conceive of any expedi- 
ent which was not employed to make the congress representative and 
render its proceedings intelligent and thoroughly impartial. 
To the great credit of our science, it may be said without reserva- 
tion, that the leading botanical establishments of the world took the 
congress seriously. There met at Vienna between five and six hun- 
dred botanists. A week was spent in the various sessions of the 
congress. During this time the systematists met daily in prolonged 
and very earnest sessions for discussion and legislation on the nomen- 
clature matter. They were permitted to speak in French, English, 
or German, and the substance of their remarks was promptly trans- 
lated into each of the other two of these languages. The meeting 
was exceptionally fortunate in its chairman, Prof. Charles Flahault 
of Montpellier, whose quick understanding of complicated situations, 
skilful generalship of the polyglot debates, and obvious impartiality 
commanded universal respect and gained general commendation. 
Every opportunity for free discussion was given so far as time per- 
mitted. 
Several readers of RHODORA have expressed the wish that the rules 
adopted by the Vienna Congress should be printed in our journal 
and the English version is herewith given. The list of generic names, 
which, notwithstanding technical lack of priority, it was decided to 
retain, includes about four hundred names. Lack of space does not 
permit the reprinting of this list in full but the names are here given 
which apply to our New England flora. 
It will be a matter of great interest to the readers of RHODORA to 
learn that many of the leading botanical establishments of the world 
have already signified either officially or unofficially their intention 
to accept the Vienna rulings, indeed this acceptance has been so 
general as to render divergent practice hereafter merely local and 
provincial. 
A question, which has been very frequently asked, is how much 
change these rules will entail in current usage. It is very difficult 
to give any precise answer, but, in a general way, it may be said, so 
far as the Grayan nomenclature common in New England is con- 
cerned, the adoption of the Vienna rules is likely to necessitate change 
