176 
Rules, Wikstroemia, Schrad. should replace Haemocharis, and 
that consequently Wikstroemia, Endl., although it is a nomen 
conservandum, should be superseded by Capura. But it was 
with the express object of preventing such disadvantageous 
changes that Art. 20 was framed, and the wording of Art. 15 
indicates that its operation is suspended whenever it conflicts 
with Art. 20. “Art. 15. Each natural group of plants can 
bear in science only one valid designation, namely the oldest, 
provided that it 1s in conformity with the rules of nomenclature 
and the conditions laid down in articles 19 and 20 of section 2.” 
Wikstroemia, Schrad., would therefore be valid under Art. 15 
but for the fact that Wikstroemia, Endl., is a nomen conservandum 
under Art. 20, which takes precedence. The generic names 
Haemocharis, Salisb., and Wikstroemia, Schrad., being thus 
unavailable, the ternstroemiaceous genus in question should be 
called Laplacea, H.B.K. 
So much inconvenience has been caused in the past by the 
use of the same name for different genera, that it has seemed 
worth while to discuss the case of Wikstroemia in detail. It is 
desirable that no uncertainty should exist as to the interpretation 
of the International Rules. 
It may be added that Schrader and Endlicher both used the 
spelling Wickstroemia, which was corrected by subsequent authors. 
* Bothalia.’’*—The Division of Botany and Plant Pathology 
of the Union of South Africa has issued the first part of a new 
work under this title, in memory of the first Union Premier and 
Minister of Agriculture, the late General Botha. It is edited by 
the energetic Chief of the division, is intended as a medium for 
the publication of papers and monographs based on the material 
in the National Herbarium, Pretoria, and will contain informa- 
tion regarding the vegetable resources of the country, its plant 
poisons and plant pests. The department is therefore now well 
supplied with means for the publication of results of the botanical 
investigation of the country, issuing in addition the ‘‘ Flowering 
Plants of South Africa ” (Kew Bull. 1920, 374), and its “‘ Memoirs 
of the Botanical Survey ” (Kew Bull. 1920, 139). We understand 
the new work will be published as occasion demands. The first 
part is devoted to the following papers :— “South African 
Ascomycetes in the National Herbarium,” by Ethel M. Doidge; 
“The Genus Bersama ” and ‘‘ The Natal Species of Sapindacae,” 
by E. P. Phillips; 35 and “‘ A Revision of the ae iedetee, of 
Sesbania,” by E. P. Phillips and J. Hutchinson.— 
* “ Bothalia,’’ A Record of Contributions from a National oe ae 
Union of South Africa, Pretoria, edited by I. B. Pole Evans; vol. t. 1 
PP. 64, Ah Sh 7s. 6d.—Pretoria, The Government aan and Stationelt 
ce, 
Printed under the authority of Bety MAJESTY’s STATIONERY O 
By aie ttiswoode, at Breton: ee E.C. Hid ig 
nters to the ine a most Excellent Majesty. 
