r 



133 



imens of fungi in the Kew Herbarium, but every mycologist 

 knows that in the majority of cases the descriptions of these are 

 so meagre, and the figures so hiaccurate, that it is absolutely im- 

 possible to use them in the determination of species." 

 Nomenclature of Organic Life. — The, H. W. Ilarkness. (Zoc, 



i. 1-4). 



Old time conservatism will find but little comfort in this arti- 

 cle, as : '* The rigid enforcement of the law of priority seems to 



give the best promise of a stable nomenclature — a boon so pre- 

 cious that even a very considerable prehminary confusion may 

 well be endured in the prospect of attaining it To be in any 

 degree effectual, it should be enforced without any of those ex- 

 ceptions upon which systematlsts soonest and most completely 

 split.'' The author would retain the most incongruous specific 

 name, or a barbarous combination of names, rather than Infringe 

 upon this law. In regard to the citation of authorities, a method 

 of escape is suggested in the citation ^*of the place of publica- 

 tion or page of an index, to which sooner or later all such mat- 

 ters are likely to be relegated/' We should like this suggestion 

 to be made a little clearer, and, in view of the fact that the sub- 

 ject is attracting a great deal of attention and interest at the 

 present time, would make bold to ask that an example be given 

 of just what is intended — for instance, we fail to grasp exactly 

 how page 20 of Zoe would appear if the above suggestion were 



applied to it. 



Notes on Some Western Plants, J. N. Rose. (Bot. Gaz. xv. 61 



-66^ ph X). 



Pe7itstemon Tzveedyi, Erigeron Parryi^ E. Tweedyana, and 

 Chorizanthe Vazeyi are described as new, the latter figured. 

 Option Disease in Bernmda, A. L. Kean, (Annals of Botany, 



iv. 170, 171). 



The question whether Macrosporinm parasiticnm or Perono- 



spora Schleideniana is the cause of the disease does not yet seem 



to be settled. 



Panicnmvirgatiim. F. H. (Garden, xxxvii. 245, illustrated). 



Parry. — Dr. Chas. C. (Bot. Gaz. xv. 66-68). 

 Perenospora Cnbensis, B, & C. — New Localities for. B, T. Gal- 

 loway. (Journ. Mycol. v. 2 1 6). 



