NOMENCLATURE. 167 



we find a distinctly recognized species denominated by more than one 

 generic name, while the specific appellation remains the same, this ambi- 

 guity arising from difference of opinion as to the limits of genera, and con- 

 sequently as to the group to which particular species are to be referred. 



To ensure accuracy, therefore, it becomes necessary, whenever the name 

 of a plant is mentioned in a scientific work, that the authority for the 

 name (that is, the author who originated it, or whose peculiar application 

 of it we adopt) should be indicated. This is done by subjoining an ab- 

 breviation of his name. Thus, Bellis perennis, Linn., or L. ; Inula Conyza, 

 DC. ; Pulicaria vulgaris, Gaertn., signify that we mean the species which 

 were defined under these names by Linnseus, De Candolle, and Gaertner, 

 respectively. In like manner it is requisite, in the majority of cases, 

 where the name of a genus is mentioned, to indicate the authority, since 

 many of the older genera of Linnaeus and others have been broken up 

 into a number of groups, and the original name restricted to one of these 

 more limited assemblages. 



Synonyms. The superfluous or incorrect names which exist 

 in many cases cannot be neglected where they have once acquired 

 a certain currency, because a certain amount of existing knowledge 

 is connected with these names in the works of the writers who 

 have used them. Hence arises the necessity of enumerating the 

 synonyms of plants. The citation of synonyms is of course un- 

 necessary in general cases, where the names of plants are incident- 

 ally mentioned, so long as the authority for the name is given ; 

 but in Systematic works, such as descriptions of the plants of a 

 country or province, or monographs upon particular groups of 

 plants, it is part of an author's duty to ascertain and indicate 

 .all the names which have been applied to the particular forms, 

 and the exact senses in which different names have been employed. 

 The synonyms subjoined to a specific name may indicate : 1, 

 that the same species has received different names from different 

 authors ; 2, that a selected specific name includes the several sup- 

 posed or real species enumerated under it ; 3, that the species has 

 been removed from a genus to which it was formerly referred ; 

 4, that a particular view is taken both of the generic and spe- 

 cific value pf a plant concerning which opinions have varied in 

 both particulars. 



The following examples may serve to illustrate this : 



1. The name Galium verum, L., has simple priority and therefore pre- 

 ference over G. luteum, Lamarck, indicating the same species, which was 

 accidentally or erroneously named by the latter author after Linnaeus had 

 given it an appellation. 



2. Agrostis alba, L., includes A. compressa, Willd., A, gigantea, Koth, 

 A. stolonifera, L. (in part), &c. ; these latter have been mistakenly sepa- 

 rated from it, or subsequently named without knowledge of the identity. 



3. Castanea vvlyaris, Lam., is now substituted for Fagus Castanea, L., 

 as the genus Castanea is now regarded as distinct from Fagus. In many 



