VOL. II. | feecent Literature. 71 
We have therefore in these cases and probably many others, two 
sets of synonyms, the priority of which will be extremely difficult 
to prove should it ever be necessary to do so. 
Navarretia, which has priority over Gilia, has also the refreshing 
novelty of a type species; for the number of genera in which all the 
species are credited to ‘‘OK.” becomes monotonous. As to the 
changes involved by calling Lepidium, Nasturtium; Ionidium, Cal- 
ceolaria; Gouania, Lupulus; Phlox, Armeria; Cortinarius, Gomphus ; 
etc., we fear the author’s life will not be long enough to see them 
made. 
The changes in nomenclature are not confined to phanerogamic 
botany, but cover the whole range of the vegetable kingdom, and 
wholesale changes are made quite as coolly in fungi, the genera of 
which are notoriously in a transition state, as in the more settled 
orders. It is to be feared that Cryptogamic botanists will consider 
the author guilty not only of folly but of impertinence as well. 
As the author has done little in studying the values of genera, 
the changes in specific names are comparatively few. He shows a 
tendency to reduce genera, and though there is a sufficient field for 
the exercise of such a spirit, it may be doubted whether he has se- 
lected the most promising examples. 
He argues at length and with considerable feeling against the 
changing of specific names, and most botanists will agree with 
him; but he might have gone much further and shown how improper 
and unnecessary it is to change them at all, except in monographs of 
families—else why the third name attached to species? In the work 
of botanists who accept the zoological rule, and they are numerous 
and increasing, the cited name furnishes a means of distinguishing 
the species until the monographer can deal with them. Mr. Hems- 
ley, for instance, in listing the Mexican species of Dalea,* evidently 
recognizing the fact that he was unable to judge of the validity of 
the species with the material at hand enumerates— 
- 20. Dalea elata Hook. & Arn. 
21. Dalea elata Mart. & Gal., 
and the future monographer of the Leguminosz will be able to dis- 
tinguish them and decide on their merits just as well as if one of 
them had been afflicted with the name galeottiamra. 
* Biol. Cent.-Am. 1, 239. 
