274 OBSERVATIONS ON PLANTS 



the term aperta. It is constantly conjoined, and, perhaps, 

 necessarily connected, with the early opening of the calyx, 

 whose segments are originally connivent and slightly imbri- 

 cate : for it may be here remarked, that in all the modifi- 

 cations of what I have termed imbricate aestivation of petals, 

 they are, I believe, in the very early stage in like manner 

 erect, and the sexual organs equally exposed. 



If the expediency of preserving the genus Cleome entire 

 were admitted, a question which I do not pretend at present 

 to decide, it w^ould still be of the greatest importance to 

 arrange its numerous species according to their affinities, 

 and carefully to distinguish the subordinate groups that 

 compose it. To such inferior groups, whether termed 

 subgenera or sections, names, in fact, have been of late 

 years very generally assigned, both by zoologists and 

 botanists. 



It has not yet been proposed, however, that these sub- 

 generic names should form an essential part of the name 

 of the species ; although by employing them in this manner, 

 w^hile the principal groups would be kept in view, their 

 subdivision vvould be carried to the same extent^ and the 

 subordinate groups as well expressed, as if they had been 

 actually separated into distinct genera. 



The adoption of this method, which would not ma- 

 terially distiu'b names already existing, would probably 

 lead to a greater consistency in the formation of genera, 

 with reference to the natural orders of which they are sub- 

 divisions. In this way also the co-operation of two classes 

 of naturalists, at present opposed to each other on the 

 question of the construction of genera, might to a certain 

 extent be expected, and greater uniformity in nomenclature 

 consequently secured. 



These advantages appear to me so important, that some 

 expedient for obtaining them will, I am persuaded, at no 

 distant period, be generally adopted. 



In favour of the present plan it may be remarked, that it 

 is analogous to the method followed Ijy the Romans in the 

 construction of the names of persons, by which not only the 

 original family, but the particular branch of that family to 



