.^ EDITORIAL 1^. 



A great many things depend upon the point of view. A 

 cathedral may be seen through a keyhole or we may attempt to 

 view it from a point so near that we see only the stones and 

 mortar just beyond our noises. The idea is well illustrated 

 in the matter of botanical nomenclature. The philosophical 

 botanist views the rules f(^r naming plants in their entirety 

 and perceives that they are merely a means to an end and that 

 end the distinguishing of one species from another ; Init the 

 technical botanist is frec^uently too near his subject and fails 

 to see it in proper perspective. He is fond of c[uarreling over 

 different "codes" of nomenclature and he often uses up much 

 good white paper in attempting to establish the priority of a 

 favorite name which he has e.xhumed from some ancient and 

 musty tome, or in trving to prove which of two dilapidated 

 specimens is entitled to bear the name given by a botanist long 

 since turned to dust. J\Iore reprehensible still is his worship 

 of the author citiation. The philosopher realizes that the au- 

 thor of a plant name must frequently be cited to indicate the 

 exact species meant, but the pettifogging botanist too often 

 considers such citations as a means of gaining distinction for 

 himself. He is frequently charged with changing names with- 

 out sufificient reason when this will bring his own name into 

 prominence. If this stricture is unjust, how else can we ex- 

 plain the fact that everv albino flower and fruit and every 

 variation from the normal in other plant parts is dignified by 

 a name which includes the name of the author ? To be sure all 



