200 



only bring forward any fresh remarks on lliis snbject as facts and 

 observations shall fmnish thcni, and then 1 hope I shall be equally 

 ready to offer them whether they tend to confirm or change the 

 opinions I now hold. The present communication, however, ap- 

 peared to be called for, to put in a proper light that which we had 

 both written, or I would not again have so soon troubled the readers 

 of the 'Phytologist' with any fresh remarks on a subject, which I fear 

 is not of very general interest. T. Bell Salter. 



Ryde, June 14, 1845. 



On the meaning of the word recurvus. 

 By T. Bell Salter, M.D., F.L.S. 



I have read with much pleasure Mr. Watson's lucid remarks on the 

 meaning of the word recurvus, and certainly very desirable it is that 

 some definite idea should be attached to a term, on which there aj)- 

 j)ears so much diversity of opinion. In all the ornithological and 

 entomological instances of the use of this word, which have been 

 adduced, the curvature is in a direction from the face or the venter, 

 towards the dorsum, which is, as Mr. Watson says, " contrary to the 

 usual direction." It is, however, I apprehend in force of the former 

 fact, — the part being bent toward the dorsum, — that the terra is used, 

 for if it come to be considered as merely signifying its being con- 

 trary to the usual direction, it at once ceases to be an absolute term, 

 and will convey no certain meaning to the person whom it may be in- 

 tended to enlighten by a description, — he not being aware what may 

 be the usual direction in that particular tribe or genus ; — or even spe- 

 cies, for where is a limit to be drawn, where a mere comparison is 

 indefinitely implied ? 



Now, from the numerous definitions from the highest authorities, 

 so carefully cited at page 113 of this work, it would appear that in 

 Botany, as well as in Ornithology and Entomology, — and Mr. Wat- 

 son's definition of re implies the same, — it would appear, then, that 

 here too the particle re gives the sense of backwardness in the direc- 

 tion ; a curving or bending towards some real or supposed back or 

 dorsum. The question is, therefore, what is the back or dorsum 

 in any part of a plant. Common acceptation has universally ap- 

 plied it to that surface of any part, which is situated outwardly be- 

 fore its having expanded ; and, in accordance with this, we have in 

 applied to every curvature, which, supposing the part in question to 



