29S KIGHT OF OCCASIONALLY 



able to alter such names, even for the better. Americo 

 Vespucci had no very great pretensions to give his own 

 name to a quarter of the world, yet it is scarcely probable 

 that Columbia will supersede America. In our science 

 the names established throughout the works of Linnaeus 

 arc become current 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 liave improved upon many which he adopted out 

 of deference to his predecessors, and it is in some cases 

 to be regretted that he has not sufficiently 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 enfeeble the prevail- 

 ing 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 know ledge and authority, reforms and elu- 

 cidates 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 ser- 

 vice. His wisdom will be evinced by extreme caution 

 and reserve in using his liberty with respect to new 

 names, but more especially new terms ; and, after all, 

 he will be amenable to the general tribunal of botanists, 

 and the judgment of those who come after him. Few 

 indeed are illustrious enough to claim such privileges as 

 these. Those who alter names, often for the worse, ac- 

 cording to arbitrary rules of their own, or in order to 

 aim at consequence which they cannot otherwise attain, 

 3re best treated with silent neglect. The system should 



