THE PLANT WORLD . 251 



The fact that botanical nomenclature is probably to receive some 

 attention during the Washington meeting of the American Association 

 for the Advancement of Science brings once more before^our minds the 

 ever-vexing question of popular or vernacular plant names. We have 

 discussed this subject at various times in these pages, but it has now 

 been brought to our attention officially, as it were, through the formal 

 reference to The Plant World for consideration a letter addressed to the 

 Chairman of the Nomenclature Committee of the Botanical Club. This 

 letter discussed the diversity of usage among our common names for 

 plants, and recommended that action be taken by some body, of recog- 

 nized standing to secure a uniform vernacular nomenclature. 



It is certain that there would be a more general acquaintance with 

 plants if they were provided with simple and easily memorized names, 

 like those of the native birds and animals. Of course, the number of 

 is infinitely greater; but it would not be necessary to carry the nomen- 

 clature beyond genera, of which ther are at present quantities with 

 none but classical designations. 



It has occurred to us that it might be well at an early date to begin 

 the publication of lists of popular plant names, compiling them from all 

 available sources of information, and treating one family at a time. 

 These lists would undoubtedly elicit corrections and additions, and 

 could ultimately be prepared for publication in book form, after they 

 should become reasonably complete. 



Book Reviews. 



The Book of Peaes and Plums. Bv Rev. E. Bartrum. John Lane : 

 London and New York. 1902. $1.00. 



The present volume forms number XI of the Handbooks of Garden- 

 ing that are being issued by Lane, two of which were noticed in our 

 pages a few weeks ago. They are uniform in size and topography, and 

 the volume before us is fully up to the high standard of the others. Of 

 course, it should be born in mind that the methods of culture necessary 

 to insure success in pear growing in England are wholly different from 

 conditions which prevail in this country, but there is much useful infor- 

 mation that could be mastered to advantage by our horticulturists. It 

 begins with a short but interesting history of the pear, then follows 

 chapters on the soil, protection, planting, staking, etc., as well as full 

 notes on the methods of producing the various types of trees, such as 



