On the “List of Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta of North- 
eastern America,” prepared by the Nomenclature Com- 
mittee of the Botanical Club. 
B. L. ROBINSON. 
In the discussions of the botanical nomenclature at the 
Rochester meeting of the American Association there was a 
decided feeling upon the part of many that more exact data 
were requisite to any satisfactory action. A series of rules 
was provisionally adopted and it was wisely urged that be- 
fore the merits of the code could be estimated it would be 
necessary to see its application to some considerable part of 
our flora. Prof. Britton,at much expense of time and trouble, 
with the assistance of some others, has prepared under the 
above title a list of the flowering plants of the eastern states 
and Canada, selecting the names according to the Rochester 
code and its modification at Madison. This list possesses 
considerable interest, as it contains the expression of the 
much more satisfactory basis for the decision of the questions 
at issue than has hitherto been gained from vague generaliza- 
tions and isolated instances. 
_ In estimating the system of nomenclature i!lustrated by this 
list all considerations of sentiment may be passed with brief 
mention. It is natural that every working botanist should 
greatly regret giving up names long associated with certain 
plants, but there would certainly be few who would not make 
all due concession in this regard if really assured of a stable 
nomenclature as a reward of their sacrifices. Before leaving 
the matter of sentiment, however, it may be noted that it has 
not been confined to the conservative botanist, who regrets 
the proposed displacement of established names. It is 
€qually exhibited by the reforming botanist, who maintains 
that he is impelled to make these changes by justice to the 
earlier authors. For slight examination shows that this idea 
of justice is often of the sentimental rather than the practical 
Sort. The revival of old and obscure names undoes in many 
instances the most careful work of subsequent authors, and 
this, too, from no fault of theirs, for the rules affecting their 
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