197 35 



International ruies for Botanical Nomenclature chlfley of 

 Yascular Plants. 



Chaptei I. General considérations and leading principles. 



Art. 1. Natural history can make no progress without a regulär system of 

 nomenclature, which is recognized antl used by tlie great niajority of naturalists in 

 all countries. 



Art. 2. The prescriptions which govern the exact system of botanical nomen- 

 clature are divided into principles, rules and rccoinmendations. The principles (art. 

 1 — 9, 10-14 and 15 — 18) are the foundation of the rules and recommendations. 

 The rules (art, 10 — 5cS), destined to put in order the nomenclature which the past has 

 bequeathed to us, and to foi'm the basis for the future, are always rétroactive: names 

 or forms of nomenclature which are contrary to a ruie cannot be maintaineti. Recom- 

 mendations bear on secondary points, their object being to ensure for the future a 

 greater uniformity and clearness in nomenclature: names or forms of nomenclature 

 contrary to a recommendation are not a model to copy, but cannot be rejected. 



Art. 3. The rules of nomenclature should neither be arbitrary nor imposed 

 liy authority. They must be simple and founded on considérations clear and forcible 

 cnough for everyone to coniprehend and be disposed to accejjt, 



Art. 4. The essential points in nomenclature are: 1. to aim at tixity of 

 names; 2. to avoid or to leject the use of forms and names which may cause error 

 or ambiguity or throw science into confusion. 



Next in importance is the avoidance of all useless création of names. 



Other considérations, such as absolute grammatical correctness. regularity or 

 euphony of names. niore or less prevailing custom, respect for persons, etc.. notwith- 

 standing their undeniable importance are relatively accessoiy. 



Art. 5. No custom contrary to rule can be upheld if it leads to confusion 

 or error. When a custom otîers no serions inconvenience of this kind, it may be a 

 ground for exceptions which we must however abstain from extending or copying. 

 Finally in the absence of rule, or where the conséquences of rules are doubtful, 

 established custom becomes law. 



Art. 6. The principles and forms of nomenclature should be as similar as 

 jjossible in botany and in zoology; but botanical nomenclature is entirely independent 

 of zoological nomenclature. 



