VOL. III.] Recent Literature. 71 



We have therefore in these cases and probably many others, two 

 sets of synonyms, the priority of which will be extremely difficult 

 to prove should it ever be necessary to do so. 



Navarretia, which has priority over Gilia, has also the refreshing 

 novelty of a type species; for the number of genera in which all the 

 species are credited to "OK." becomes monotonous. As to the 

 changes involved by calling Lepidium, Nasturtium; lonidium, Cal- 

 ceolaria; Gouania, Lupulus; Phlox, Armeria; Cortinarius, Gomphus ; 

 etc., we fear the author's life will not be long enough to see them 

 made. 



The changes in nomenclature are not confined to phanerogamic 

 botany, but cover the whole range of the vegetable kingdom, and 

 wholesale changes are made quite as coolly in fungi, the genera of 

 which are notoriously in a transition state, as in the more settled 

 orders. It is to be feared that Cryptogamic botanists will consider 

 the author guilty not only of folly but of impertinence as well. 



As the author has done little in studying the values of genera, 

 the changes in specific names are comparatively i&^N. He shows a 

 tendency to reduce genera, and though there is a sufficient field for 

 the exercise of such a spirit, it may be doubted whether he has se- 

 lected the most promising examples. 



He argues at length and with considerable feeling against the 

 changing of specific names, and most botanists will agree with 

 him ; but he might have gone much further and shown how improper 

 and unnecessary it is to change them at all, except in monographs of 

 families — ^else why the third name attached to species ? In the work 

 of botanists who accept the zoological rule, and they are numerous 

 and increasing, the cited name furnishes a means of distinguishing 

 the species until the monographer can deal with them. Mr. Hems- 

 ley, for instance, in listing the Mexican species of Dalea,* evidently 

 recognizing the fact that he was unable to judge of the validity of 

 the species with the material at hand enumerates — 



20. Dalea elata Hook. & Arn. 



21. Dalea elaia Mart. & Gal., 



and the future monographer of the Leguminosae will be able to dis- 

 tinguish them and decide on their merits just as well as if one of 

 them had been afflicted with the name galeottiamra. 



Biol. Cent. -Am. i, 239. 



