318 
Under Article 46 of the International Rules,* Stellaria, Linn. 
has precedence over Alsine, Linn., because the name Stellaria 
was chosen by Cirillo who was the first to unite the two genera. 
nder Canon 13 of the American Code,t+ Alsine has precedence 
over Stellaria because it appeared on an earlier page of the same 
In view of these considerations it is to be hoped that the 
question of ‘‘ priority of place’? may be reconsidered by the 
American Permanent Committee on Nomenclature. 
On the other hand, Article 36 of the International Rules 
prescribing a Latin diagnosis for new groups might be re-con- 
sidered at the next International Congress. The way would then 
be prepared for a world-wide agreement on nomenclature. 
SUMMARY. 
1. The history of the name Alsine and its application to 
Stellaria, Spergularia and Minuartia has been traced. 
2. The type of Alsine, Linn. (1753) is A. media, Linn. 
3. Alsine, Linn., thus . becomes synonymous with Stellaria, 
Linn. The latter name should be adopted under the International 
Rules. Under the American Code, however, the former name is 
adopted in accordance with the principle of ‘‘ priority of place,’’ 
in spite of six strong arguments in favour of Stellaria. This 
suggests that ‘‘ priority of place” as regards genera should be 
abandoned, as leading to undesirable results. 
4. Alsine, Linn. emend. Gaertn. (1791) should be replaced by 
Minuartia, Linn. (1753). 
Os Alsine, Linn..emend. Reichb. (1832) should be. replaced by 
Spergularia, J. et C. Presl (a nomen conservandum under the 
International Rules). 
.6. The name Alsine thus disappears altogether. This is a 
distinct advantage, as it has. been applied to three different 
genera and is now quite ambiguous. 
he same date the author chooses, and 
ed by subsequent authors, , 
prebitenes bik and _ the same time, those eens 
Aldana, L. Sp. PL 979 5 as having priority. Examples— 
Sp. Bl. 431.” + >is to be regarded as having priority over Stellaria, L. 
