108 Bicknell : The Nomenclature of 



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erroneous. I am here myself at fault through having omitted the 

 mark of interrogation in taking up this name in the synonymy of 

 A. mollis. It is not at all clear that the name does not refer to 

 one of the apparently several forms or species included under A. 

 pumila Muhl. At any rate, the name quite certainly does not 

 pertain to the type of A. mollis. 



I am well satisfied that A. mollis is an aggregate actually em- 

 bracing a group of species. But in order to elucidate this a 

 greater amount of material than is now available and the closest 

 study will be indispensable. It may then be possible to give to 

 Wallroth's name a definite meaning. There seems, however, 

 little reason to doubt that Wallroth's name, A. pubesccns is right- 

 fully assigned to the synonymy of A. mollis. 



All things considered it can only be regretted that a wholly un- 

 necessary confession has been introduced into the nomenclature 

 of our agrimonies. Changes in botanical names, necessary evils 

 at best, are especially to be deplored when proposed in disregard 

 alike of easily ascertained certainties on the one hand and of pal- 

 pable uncertainties on the other. 



In what has been written in support of such changes in the 

 names of the New England agrimonies nothing is brought for- 

 ward which at all justifies the displacement of any of the names 

 previously adopted. 



