DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 147 



218. 

 Generic names should consist only of one word, otherwise 

 the additional trivial name would make up three names. Yet 

 we have adopted many names formed on a different principle, 

 because they have been in immemorial use ; {Rosvutrinus^ 

 Cornucopia, Sempervivicm.) 



219. 



Generic names should designate definite genera of plants. 

 They ought not, therefore, to be family names. (G7'amen, 

 Filix, Lichen.) These names, too, ought not to be taken 

 from other sciences and arts, especially not from other parts 

 of natural history, (Naias, Elephas, Natrix, Buprestis) : but 

 even here long use has its privilege ; {HcUotropium, Hyacm- 

 thus, Pastinaca, Tascus). 



220. 



As we are often at a loss for generic names, it is allowable 

 to borrow an allegorical name from mythology. This prac- 

 tice is allowable, but not to be imitated ; {Adonis, Narcissus, 

 Danais, Urania, Hecatea). To denote his perplexity, Lin- 

 naeus called a plant Quisqualis. 



221. 



From the earliest times it has been a custom to honour the 

 merits of great promoters of botany, by naming plants after 

 them. When neither flattery, nor other private views, lead 

 to this practice, it may be justified ; {MWiridatca, Eupafo- 

 rium, Cliffbrtia, Josephinia, Munchausia). But the prac- 

 tice is very reprehensible, when later botanists have sought, 

 by means of it, to do an agreeable service to their superiors, 

 or to make themselves acceptable to them ; (Ferdinaiida, 

 Napoleona, Bonapartea, Theodora, Carludovica, Jle.ran- 

 dra). 



222. 

 To preserve, in this way, the memory of meritorious bo- 

 tanists, is a laudable custom, which nuist, however, be in- 



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