ORIGIN OF BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE 263 



planned and for this reason essentially different from the acci- 

 dental binomials of the earlier binary system. Since the time of 

 Linnaeus practically no change has taken place in our method of 

 nomenclature, and his system is used today, refined only in techni- 

 cal details. Our system, therefore, represents not the creation 

 of one man but a gradual evolution marked by the four main 

 steps here outlined, of which steps Linnaeus took the most impor- 

 tant. 



1. The development of a binary system culminating in the 

 work of Bauhin. 



2. The definite recommendation by Bachmann that the system 

 be binomial. 



3. The introduction by Linnaeus of a binomial system through 

 the use of trivial names. 



4. The universal adoption of these trivial names as specific 

 names, and the establishment of our modern binomial system. 



It is quite conceivable that a binomial system of nomenclature 

 such as is now employed might easily have arisen as the result 

 of the first two steps here outlined had the recommendation of 

 Bachmann been supported by some botanist of preeminent influ- 

 ence. Such however was not the case, and our modern binomial 

 nomenclature in fact owes its most characteristic feature directly 

 to the introduction by Linnaeus of the trivial names, as I trust 

 this study of the historical development of the system sufficiently 

 shows. 



