528 
orthodox principle of ‘once a synonym, always a synonym,’ while 
causing some changes at first, will ultimately result in greater 
stability.” 
With this the Rochester resolutions were laid before the Con- 
gress. It is needless to say that the weight of authority repre- 
sented in our platform, and especially the unanimity with which 
it passed our body, produced a marked impression on the Genoa 
Congress. The case was then fairly opened, and one proposal 
after another was brought forward and discussed in polyglot. 
Prof. Marshall Ward regretted the absence of any representative 
from Kew, and favored postponing discussion of the question on 
the ground of linguistic difficulties. But the Congress had long 
thought and were ready for some decisive action in spite of the 
greater conservatism of the English botanists. Some favored 
voting on all four of the Berlin propositions, but it was finally 
decided that it would be best to leave to a committee the fourth 
proposition and to vote on I, II, and III. It was at this point 
that the influence of the American resolutions was most strongly. 
felt. An amendment was proposed which substituted 1753 for 
1752 as the starting-point for genera. This modification was 
warmly discussed, and, guided more by instinct than by a clear 
understanding of the proper stage of the discussion, we were able 
in a few words to emphasize the superior advantages of the single 
date. At this juncture the vote was taken, and 1753 was adopted 
by a large majority. The three Berlin propositions as amended 
were then passed nem. con., except that a later test vote to ascer- 
tain how many would prefer 1737 to 1753 resulted in four votes 
for the earlier date, mostly by Italian botanists. 
Action on Proposition IV was deferred, and a committee of 
the Congress was appointed who should recommend what was 
deemed most feasible in that matter. On this committee your 
delegate served as a member, and the result of their deliberations 
was reported at a subsequent meeting of the Congress. The 
only remaining action was the endorsement by the Congress of a 
recommendation introduced by Prof. Prantl, which, in his own 
language, reads as follows: “ Gattungsnamen, welche nicht im 
Sinne der bindren Nomenclatur gegeben sind, sind zu verwerfen.”* 
* Ascherson’s paper, /. ¢. 350, mee 
