168 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



cases we find a distinct generic name given as a synonym where it is 

 really more recent, but is rejected in favour of the older on the ground 

 that the more recent generic separation is not approved of; for instance, 

 Apargia autumnalis, Willd. (Oporinia autumnatis, Don). 



4. Catabrosa aquatica, Beauv., is named in diverse works Aira aqua- 

 tica, L., Molinia aquatica, Wibel., Poa airoides, Koel., Glyceria aquatica, 

 Presl, &c. 



The multitudinous synonyms which fall under the last category are 

 attributable to the excessive tendency of modern writers to multiply 

 genera on slight grounds. Such minor subdivisions are far better 

 restricted to extensive systematic works, on the plan adopted in De Can- 

 dolle's f Prodomus,' providing them with sectional names for the exclu- 

 sive use of systematists, and preserving the more general name for 

 common purposes. 



Nomenclature of Varieties. The varieties of species are no- 

 ticed in descriptive works when of frequent occurrence, and then 

 are either simply indicated by the letters of the Greek alphabet, 

 or have an additional adjective name like the species, which plan 

 is especially followed in lists of garden varieties. In such cases 

 either the ordinarily occurring form is taken as the type, and the 

 series of occasional varieties is begun with /3, as 



Sambucus nigra, L. , var. (3. leaflets laciniated (Hooker 



& Arnott). 



or, Sambucus nigra, L. j3. virescens (fruit green). 



y. leucocarpa (fruit white). . lacmiata (leaflets laci- 

 niated). e. variegata (leaves with white streaks), 



Koch. 



Or if the species is variable and no one form is considered 

 typical, the series begins with a, thus : 



Fedia dentata (Hooker & Arnott). a (Valerianella Mon- 



sonii, DC.). /3 (Fedia mixta, Yahl). y (Fedia 



eriocarpa, Eo3m. & Sch.). 



The nomenclature of cultivated plants is fruitful in examples of named 

 varieties in large numbers belonging to particular species, such as Clarkia 

 pnlchella alba, C. pulchella rosea, &c. &c. ; but these names are often ap- 

 plied without scientific exactitude. 



Hybrids are named according to certain rules when they occur 

 frequently wild or, if obtained artificially, when they are propa- 

 gated by cuttings, bulbs, &c. The names of the two parent species 

 are combined, thus : Verbascum niyro-Lychnitis, a hybrid between 

 V. nigrum and V. Lyclinitis. With regard to artificially produced 

 hybrids, it is possible to indicate the parentage with more accu- 

 racy, and the name of the seeding plant stands before that which 

 yields the pollen, as Amaryllis vittato-regince, the form produced 

 when the ovules of A. vittata are fertilized by the pollen of A. 



