VOL. Iv.] Writings of Edward L. Greene. 73 
synonym always a synonym ”’ rule has not been adopted as yet 
by any considerable number of botanists no one need be in haste 
to discard the well-known name. It must not be forgotten that 
many generic names are retained in deference to usage, though 
hardly considered valid, and that if change is insisted upon 
some at least are likely to be merged in their nearest neighbors. 
The differences between Darlingtonia and Sarracenia are very 
slight. 
Alsinella Dill. is taken up for Sagina L. in violation of all 
botanical rule. 
Tissa Adans. is adopted instead of Spergularia, Lepigonun or 
Buda. ‘The best way out of this tangle is, in the writer's 
opinion, to remand the few valid species to Spergu/a from which 
some of them can hardly be distinguished. — 
Bursa \,. for Capsella Moench. If the proposition emanating 
from a group of German botanists, and adopted by the botanical 
section of the American Association, meets with general accep- 
tance this change will not be required. 
Heterodraba Greene is Draba unilateralis Jones. It differs in 
habit, but not in technical character from other Drabas. Itisa 
singular botanical judgment which sustains Heterodraba and 
Tropidocarpum, while reducing Stanfordia to Caulanthus. 
Athysanus Greene was founded on 7) hysanocarpus pusillus. The 
author seems never to have been able to get at the details of its 
structure. ‘The depauperate strap-shaped petals, and membran- 
-aceous filaments widened toward the base are as in Draba unila- 
teralis, but the pod, which in San Francisco specimens is often 
destitute of hooked hairs, is constantly 1-celled, 4-ovuled and 
r-seeded. ‘The Cruciferee are badly in need of a general 
revision. In their present state no botanist adds to his credit 
by proposing new genera among them. 
Hesperalcea Greene is one of Dr. Gray’s section names raised 
by Mr. Greene to generic rank. As Sidalcea is itself becoming 
much weakened it would seem hardly necessary to erect one of 
_its species into a separate genus. 
Toxicodendron \,. for Rhus, A Systema name. 
Lotus 1. for Hosackia Benth. With this we agree. 
Xylothermia Greene for Pickeringia Nutt. On the “once a 
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