CONTRIBUTIONS TO WESTERN BOTANY NO. IS 'Z^ 



CRASSULACEAE BRITTON AND ROSE 



This attempt to monograph the genera of this family shows " haste 

 and lack of thoroughness. I find synonj^ny is incomplete. Sedum sub- 

 alpinum Blankenship is not mentioned, as is also Sedum Elrodi Jones, both 

 species being published some years before the revision was contemplated 

 or written. 



method 

 grounds, that was so conspicuous in fhe 



on 



iMUch to the detriment of systematic botany. The same method of making 

 species of mere forms is also characteristic. The experience of Rydbe::^ 

 in his Flora of the Rocky Mountains ought to have been enough to deter 

 them, but it was not. The condemnation of Rydberg's flora is almost uni- 

 versal. It cannot be used successfully in the class room. 



BRITTON AND ROSFS CACTACEAE 



knowledge of this intricate family had the time and money 



ition 



spent by men interested in real botanical research instead of botanical 

 propaganda, but nothing having the imprint of Britton can have miuch 

 scientific worth because he injects his personality everyAvhere and all the 

 time to the detriment of research. He outgreenes Green, and Green- ^a^s 

 insane. The most objectionable thing al^out the Cactaceae is the whole- 

 sale creation of new generic names for various groups within older genera, 

 rew names based on trivial characters. Had these names been the result 

 of new studies and discoveries in morphology, or plant growth, tliere 

 might have been some excuse for it, but there has been practically no such 

 v^ork, it is simply a rehash of old material, after the fashion of Greene 

 and Rydberg, 



Coulter and Rose in Cont. N. Herb. 12 441 following, take -up 

 recent Umbelliferae and make certain comments. In reference to my 

 strictures on their work they dodge the whole matter by declining to 

 take up my criticisms, or reply to them, hiding behind the followin.fr 

 buncombe: "This wholesale merging of distinct groups of species Is 

 based on a conception with which we cannot S}Tnpathize," etc. Tt "bus 

 been evident for years Rose has lost all conception of genus or. species, 

 and for that reason cannot sympathize with those who attack his failures, 

 tut this dodging will not help him or prevent an exaniination of the 



e rounds 



There 



from 



cannot be escaped, and the field botanists will force this recognition 

 the closest botanists whether they want it or not. We are tired of 

 this assumed superiority, whidi is pure l)lu«. It is too bad that tny 

 estimable friend has passed on and cannot answer. In my strictures on 

 jiis work I found fault vdth the generic character of iis propose new 



