VOL. IV.] Writings of Edivard L. Greene. 'J2) 



synonj-m always a synonym " rule has not been adopted as yet 

 by any considerable number of botanists no one need be in haste 

 to discard the well-known name. It must not be forgotten that 

 many generic names are retained in deference to usage, though 

 hardly considered valid, and that if change is insisted upon 

 some at least are likely to be merged in their nearest neighbors. 

 The diflferences between Darlingtonia and Sarracenia are very 

 slight. 



Alsinella Dill, is taken up for Sagina L,. in violation of all 

 botanical rule. 



Tissa Adans. is adopted instead of Spergularia^ Lepigomcn or 

 Buda. The best way out of this tangle is, in the writer's 

 opinion, to remand the few valid species to SpergiUa from which 

 some of them can hardly be distinguished. 



Bursa I,, for Capsclla Moench. If the proposition emanating 

 from a group of German botanists, and adopted by the botanical 

 section of the American Association, meets with general accep- 

 tance this change will not be required. 



Heterodraba Greene is Draba unilateralis Jones. It differs in 

 habit, but not in technical character from other Drabas. It is a 

 singular botanical judgment which sustains Heterodraba and 

 Tropidocarpum, w^hile reducing Stanfordia to Caulanthus. 



Athysamts Greene was founded on Thysanocarpus pusillus. The 

 author seems never to have been able to get at the details of its 

 structure. The depauperate strap-shaped petals, and membran- 

 aceous filaments widened toward the base are as in Draba unila- 

 teralism but the pod, which in San Francisco specimens is often 

 destitute of hooked hairs, is constantly i -celled, 4-ovuled and 

 I -seeded. The Cruciferae are badly in need of a general 

 revision. In their present state no botanist adds to his credit 

 by proposing new genera among them. 



Hesperalcea Greene is one of Dr. Gray's section names raised 

 by Mr. Greene to generic rank. As Sidalcea is itself becoming 

 much weakened it would seem hardly necessary to erect one of 

 its species into a separate genus. 



Toxicodendro7i L. for Rhus ly. A Systema name. 



Lotus ly. for Hosackia Benth. With this we agree. 



Xylothermia Greene for Pickeringia Nutt. On the "once a 



