POTANICAL GAZETTE 
FUNE, 1892. 
On nomenclature. 
SERENO WATSON. 
__ [itwas the request of the late Dr. Sereno Watson that the following com- 
_ Munication, dictated by him in his last illness, should appear at an early date 
‘in the Botanica Gazetre,— Eps. ] 
For some time I have had a desire to give expression to 
my views upon botanical nomenclature. nder the circum- 
Aces, 1 must speak briefly and somewhat dogmatically. 
Th my opinion botany is the science of plants and not the 
Science of names. Nomenclature is only one of those tools 
which is necessary to botany, and this being the case, points 
of nomenclature should be subordinated to science. 
A principle of botanical convenience has been established 
by those who prefer one name to another on account of ex- 
sslency Or convenience. This principle should have a great 
deal of influence. It has been so recognized by the greatest 
nists, and from their authority receives great weight. I 
i er the word expediency as a better term than convenience 
designate the principle, that the demands of science over- 
“NY merely technical claims of priority, etc. 
d and applied, since it governs only to the extent 
uld be the law, but it is not to be made an er 
law. Thus when a transfer has been made, that 
