384 RIGHT OP OCCASIONALLY 



quarter of the world, yet it is scarcely pro- 

 bable that Columbia will supersede America, 

 In our science the names established through- 

 out the works of Linnaeus are become cur- 

 rent coin, nor can they be altered without 

 great inconvenience. Perhaps, if he had 

 foreseen the future authority and popularity 

 of his writings, he might himself have im- 

 proved upon many which he adopted out of 

 deference to his predecessors, and it is in some 

 cases to be regretted that he has not suffi- 

 ciently done so. In like manner, the few great 

 leaders in natural knowledge must and will 

 be allowed to ward off and to correct, from 

 time to time, all that may deform or enfee- 

 ble the prevailing system. They must choose 

 between names nearly of the same date, and 

 even between good and bad ones of any date. 

 A botanist who, by the strength of his own 

 superior knowledge and authority, reforms 

 and elucidates a whole tribe of plants hitherto 

 in confusion, as a Hedwig in Mosses, or 

 Acharius in Lichens, ought to be unshackled 

 in every point in which he can be of service. 

 His wisdom will be evinced by extreme cau- 

 tion and reserve in using his liberty with re- 



