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which is similar in its main characters to an older one^ 

 but which differs in some small detail ought not to be 

 given a separate name, but should receive the name which 

 is descriptive of its character, being distinguished by the 

 addition of the name of its finder ; for example, in P. 

 angnlave we have plumosum of Elworthy, WoUaston, Moly, 

 Patey, etc., and lineare of James, Wills, Moly, Steadman, 

 etc. In the case of seedlings it is still more important 

 that names should not be given ruthlessly. A seedling 

 raised from another variety should not receive a name at 

 all unless perfectly distinct from its parent, and from all 

 other named varieties. In a distinctly improved form it 

 may be given the name which appertains to it, and have 

 affixed the name of the raiser, e.g. A. f.f. plumosum 

 Druery, etc. 



Seedlings differing slightly from their parents, but 

 inferior in their main characters, should not receive names 

 at all, and it is much better that they should not be pre- 

 served — the rubbish heap is the place for them. There is 

 perhaps no great harm in their being sometimes kept for 

 merely decorative purposes, provided it is recognised that 

 they are merely seedlings and not named varieties. Fronds 

 from plants of this character are frequently sent to our 

 Editor and others to be named, and the senders are dis- 

 appointed to learn that no exact name can be given. This 

 matter has doubtless been mentioned before, but it is so 

 important that, at the risk of being tedious, I venture to 

 " rub it in " once more. Finally, I would say to the 

 hunter, "go on hunting," and to the raiser, "go on 

 raising," but please do not imagine that everything 

 raised, or even everything found, is new or requires a new 

 name. 



F. W. Stansfield. 



