1: 
led 
bered in this connection; we have, therefore, a patriotic as well as a 
literary interest in having the proper correction made. The English 
Z is never an equivalent for the Greek X, and the inconsistency of 
putting 2 Z in the beginning and an X in the latter part of Zantho- 
xylum to represent the same Greek letter makes the confusion 
worse. All other botanical names beginning with X in Greek, ere. 
spelled with X, quite 2 number commencing with this very syllable 
Xantho. 
We are aware that there is a canon against changing the initial 
letter of an established scientifle name, but we consider this casc a 
fair exception. Dr. Gray says, in a note we feel at liberty to quote, 
“As to Zanthorylum, Colden wrote it so, Linneeus adopted it, and 
most have just followed. But there is no good reason for such 
orthography and it should have been corrected. Zanthorhiza is 
worse, because, I sec, Marshall made it Xanthorhiza, so you have 
double reason. I have made them uniform but wholly unclassical. 
Bentham and Hooker have followed the original spelling in each — 
case, and spelled one with a Z, the other with an X.”—Lindley and 
the English Botanists generally seem to prefer the X, but on the — 
continent Z prevails.. We have always supposed, that Colden wrote — 
* Zanthoxylum,” but find in his manuscript, in the possession of 
Dr. Torrey, that he first describes the plant as 2 new genus, without 
giying it a name, and has afterwards inserted, “ Zanthoxylum, 
Catesby.” ee ; 
The spelling of Zanthorhiza reminds us of another point in which 
inaccuracy is frequent. The word is composed of two clements, 
Xantho, and rhiza ; now it is an invariable rule in Greek compounds 
that when the first part ends in a vowel, and the second commences 
with an r, the r must be doubled; and yet we find in‘ authors such 
inconsistencies as Corallorhiza, polyrrhiza. tu 
We submit, therefore, that the correct spelling of the names in 
question is, Xanthorrhiza, Xanthoxylum. 
37. Polanisia graveolens, Raf.—I have found in considerable quantity 
in rough clefts of the bank above the beach at Long Branch, N. d. 
LH, Hate 
38. Argemone Mexicana, L.—Yorkville on Tirst Avenue.—Reset: 
odorata, L. 23d St. and 4th Av. M. RuGer. 
_ 39 Correetion—Loceal Herbarium at Dr. 7. F. Allen’s, 3 EB. 33d St., 
instead of 33 E. 33d St. 
40, Flowering of the Darlingtonia.—Dr. Torrey kindly gavé me, carly — 
last winter, one of the several specimens of Darlingtonia, which he _ 
received from a correspondent in California. An empty Aquarium 
ta.k was converted into asmall conservatory for it, and it was planted 
in a mixture of swamp mud and sphagnum: the top of the tank being 
covered with a glass plate. The plant was kept in a cold room, © 
where the moss was slightly frozen several times during the winter. 
The plant flowered early in April, and the specimen was placed in — 
the hands of Dr. Torrey, to allow him to confirm his original ob- | 
servations, made upon dry materials, and he will probably add what — 
nay be necessary to complete the history of this interesting plant. — 
. . 
