418 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 



names at once become current, at least with the younger men who 

 take part in the building up of the science in the next few 

 decades." 



Where names have become almost consecrated by long use and 

 yet do not conform to the principle of priority a way out of the 

 difficulty would be to fix a period after which '' use and wont " 

 should have the force of law. A very good suggestion was thrown 

 out by J. Shirley, B.Sc, in his presidential address before the 

 Koyal Society of Queensland on July 22nd, 1893. in which he said : 

 — " The unearthing of fossil names to replace others which, though 

 of later date, have at least the authority of years of acceptance 

 may prove an operation of doubtful value. 'I'he replaced name, 

 when ousted, probably has priority in a totally different order, and 

 changes may thus be extended ad infinitum. It would be well to 

 fix a certain term of years, general recognition during which would 

 give fixity of title, as against obscure and forgotten names of 

 greater age." I would suggest that when a name has reached its 

 jubilee it ought to be allowed to retain its position unless some- 

 thing more weighty can be urged against its retention than a mere 

 blind obedience to the principle of priority. 



Having given a general idea of my views on the subject of 

 botanical nomenclature, the way is now clear for an account of 

 the plan pursued in the systematic census of Australian fungi. 



1st. A consecutive number is given to each species for con- 

 venience of reference. Varieties have the number of their species 

 with a distinguishing letter. 



2nd. The number in Dr. Cooke's " Handbook of Australian 

 Fungi " is next given for ready reference to the description of any 

 species in that work. 



3rd. The volume and number is next quoted for every species 

 given in Saccardo's " Sjdloge Fungorum," (10 vols.', this being a 

 standard work on the fungi and the most complete and exhaustive 

 at the present time. The references to Cooke and Saccardo will 

 leave no doubt as to the species meant. 



4th. The scientific name adopted for each species of fungus 

 follows next. Saccardo is principally followed in the naming, but 

 wherever more accurate names are given in recent monographs 

 they are adopted. Capitals are only used for specific names when 

 they are derived from persons (Paxillus MuelleriJ, genera 

 ( Polyporus Mylitt(sJ., or appellatives where an old name is used 

 specifically. The sub-genera of Ayarictis are raised to the rank of 

 genera. 



oth. The authority for the name is next stated. The simple ride 

 followed here is to give the actual author of the name adopted and 

 not to make an author responsible for a name Avhich is not his. 

 The expedient has been adopted of indicating the name of the 

 original describer by Roman characters, that is, of course, when the 

 name given by him is retained, and the name of the correct 



