names I”* in Taxon 7 (1958) 184-198. In this report, we 
find the following proposal for conservation of the name 
of an orchid genus: 
1533. Bletilla Reichenb.f. (1851) vs. Jimensia (Raf.) (1888) (6-2) 
(Syn. Prop. Stockholm 228.) 
Bletilla has recently been recognized as a distinet genus with 
some 6 species. Rafinesque’s name has never been used. To adopt 
it would necessitate new combinations, 
Even a superficial reading of this proposal is enough 
to frighten and shock the average botanist into the reali- 
zation of the lack of seriousness and thoroughness which 
is unfortunately becoming more common in the work of 
those whose main interest apparently is to regulate, no 
matter on how trivial a point, the work of their colleagues 
who are concerned with the study of plants. 
Reichenbach described Bletil/a in 18538, giving the con- 
cept avery appropriate name suggestive of a resemblance 
to Bletia; the same concept, however, had been recog- 
nized and adequately treated thirteen years earlier by 
Rafinesque under the name Jimensia. Rafinesque’s treat- 
ment (FI. Tellur. 4 (1836) 88) is clear: 
909. Jimensia R. (Jap. bot.) Petalis ovatis concavis, 2 internis, 
label. trifido emarg. basi callis 2 obl. medio concavo, col. filif. in- 
curva, stig. bifid. concavo, antheris 2 dorsalis, capsula clavata, 
Scaposa, fol. gladiatis, fl. spicatis—Type J. nervosa R. Limodorum 
striatum Th. fl. jap. scapo angulato, fol. rad. glad. nervosis, fl. cer- 
nuis, bracteatis. Japan, fl. yellow. The G. Limodorum contained 
many anomalies also, sp. with or without spurs, beards or no beards, 
many kinds of pillars or styles or clinandres &c. 
In 1950, before the Stockholm Congress, a Japanese 
botanist proposed the conservation of Bletilla. This pro- 
posal was not acted upon in Stockholm. It did not ap- 
pear in the Paris proposals. Now, the name has been 
resurrected and proposed for conservation once again, 
with the most amazing reason: ‘‘Rafinesque’s name has 
never been used. ‘To adopt it would necessitate new com- 
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