Nomenclature. 259 
tained, but of Apidendrum and Epidendron, Asterocarpus and As- 
trocarpus the later is to be rejected. 
VIII. Citation of Authorities —In the case of a species which 
has been transferred from one genus to another, the original author 
must always be cited in parenthesis, followed by the author of the 
new binomial. 
The main discussion upon this report was on Article VI, in re- 
gard to the acceptance of named exsiccati not accompanied by a_ 
description as valid publication of a species, which was discussed 
by Messrs. Beal, Coulter, Vasey, Swingle, Bailey, Kellerman, Barnes, 
Fernow, Cook, Dudley, Morong, Britton, Underwood and Johnson. 
The motion to amend by including exsiccati was lost. 
Dr. Britton moved that a permanent committee be appointed to 
serve as a board of arbitration, and to prepare and print a list of 
the flowering plants within the area of the sixth edition of Gray’s 
Manual in accordance with the recent report on nomenclature. It 
was subsequently agreed to to extend the range to include Canada, 
Nebraska and Kansas. On motion of Dr. Arthur the nomenclature 
committee was made the permanent committee for this purpose. A 
further motion was carried “that this committee be empowered to 
receive all suggestions and criticisms of this list, and to report upon 
them at the next year’s meeting.’’ 
The action here taken is certain to have an important effect upon 
botanical nomenclature, in North America at least, as most botanists 
would be willing to make concessions in non-essentials for the sake _ 
of peace and uniformity. It is evident that such sacrifices were 
made in committee, as Art. IV of the principles set forth in the 
circular} sent out to American botanists did not appear in the re- - 
port. This article, which received the signatures of four members 
of the committee, provided ‘‘ That a varietal name be treated as 
equal in rank to a specific name, in its relations as a homonym and 
in the transfer of species and varieties from one genus to another.”’ 
The effect of this article would be to render the oldest specific 
name invalid in place of a still older varietal name. We have to 
thank the good sense of the committee for the shelving of this 
article, which would necessitate an absurdity in citation, and in view 
of the extreme looseness with which varieties are treated in bot- 
+ Zoe, iii, 170. 
