DESCRIPTIVE NOMENCLATURE. 279 



more definite instruction on such points to the 

 higher ranks of botanists, I find in the index 

 to Dr. Lindley's ' Introduction to Botany ' — 

 seven hundred pages of close print — not one of 

 the four words ' Volatile/ ' Essence,' ' Scent,' 

 or ' Perfume.' I examine the index to Gray's 

 ' Structural and Systematic Botany,' with precisely 

 the same success. I next consult Professors 

 Balfour and Grindon, and am met by the same 

 dignified silence. Finally, I think over the 

 possible chances in French, and try in Figuier's 

 indices to the ' Histoire des Plantes ' for ' Odeur ' 

 — no such word ! ' Parfum ' — no such word. 

 ' Essence ' — no such word. ' Encens '—no such 

 word. I try at last ' Pois de Senteur,' at a ven- 

 ture, and am referred to a page which describes 

 their going to sleep. 



Left thus to my own resources, I must be 

 content for the present to bring the subject at 

 least under safe laws of nomenclature. It is 

 possible that modern chemistry may be entirely 

 right in alleging the absolute identity of sub- 

 stances such as albumen, or fibrine, whether they 

 occur in the animal or vegetable economies. But 

 I do not choose to assume this identity in my 

 nomenclature. It may, perhaps, be very fine and 

 very instructive to inform the pupils preparing for 



