INTRODUCTION. xliii 



which lent its name to the genus, continues 

 to be distinguished by a badge not trivial, 

 as in the case of the other three, but 

 which is an old Synonym. There were 

 indeed other synonyms to be had^ but to 

 have decorated any of the other species in 

 a similar manner, would have been to 

 obscure the distinction thus conferred on 

 the Yarrow. 



There are however some genera in 

 which more than one celebrated plant is 

 included. Such a genus is Artemisia, 

 which comprises two plants of old cele- 

 brity. These figure in our hsts as Ar- 

 temisia and Absinthium. Both are now 

 to be called generically Artemisia ; and 

 the latter is distinguished as A. Absin- 

 thium : but how deal with the former ? 

 What particular badge shall that plant have 

 which gives its name to the genus, and 

 which is thereby levelled with the obscurer 

 species? In the previous instance we have 

 seen what is the usual course in these cir- 

 cumstances. Such a plant takes an old 

 synonym for a badge. But it happens 

 that Artemisia is singularly void of Sy- 



d2 



