26 
be expected that the new list will be widely accepted also by botanic 
gardens, although such a list cannot be expected to include the very 
great number of species cultivated by botanic gardens. 
Registration for the Cambridge Congress was at the Linnaean 
Society, in London, where an exhibit of botanico-historical interest 
was arranged. A special train took the botanists to Cambridge, 
two hours distant, August 16th. The Congress continued one 
week. Dr. Diels, director of the Berlin Botanic Garden, was chair- 
man of the Taxonomic Section, and Dr. Merrill, director of the 
New York Botanical Garden, presided over the nomenclature dis- 
cussions. At first it appeared as if the work could not be com- 
pleted, but progress was speeded by a decision to consider only 
those points as to which there were decided differences of opinion 
in the International Committee. 
Three points especially caused prolonged discussion, namely, 
Latin diagnoses, nomtina specifica conservanda, and the question of 
homonyms. The American view of homonyms was carried, 
though opposed by many European and by some American bot- 
anists. Latin diagnoses were carried by a large majority, but it 
was decided to extend the enforcement of the rule till January 1, 
1932. 
At the final meeting the question of family names was reconsid- 
ered, on motion of Dr. Barnhart. Dr. Pennell’s proposal that 
family names should be formed from genera, with the names Criuci- 
ferac, Compositae also permitted, was carried. The similar pro- 
posal of British botanists, to 
— 
rave all orders terminate in -ales, was 
not carried. On motion of Mr. Ramsbottom, Keeper of the 
Herbarium, British Museum, a provision was made that new points 
were to be considered as tentative for five years and could then be 
reconsidered. A large General Committee on Nomenclature was 
formed, with American members Barnhart, Fernald, Hitchcock, 
Jepson, Maxon, Merrill, Rehder. The general executive com- 
mittee of seven were Barnhart, Harms, Janchen, Maire, Ramsbot- 
tom, Rehder, Sprague; that is, four from England and America, 
three from the rest of the world. Special committees were to 
consider nomina conservanda and other matters; that for the 
phanerogams and ferns consisting of seven, namely, Christensen, 
Fernald, Harms, Maire, Maxon, Rehder, Wilmott. The resulting 
—" 
