1892. ] Editorial. 383 
EDITORIAL. 
A LIVE MAN is readily distinguished from a dead one, and if the man 
is alive to some important interest it needs no search light or commit- 
tee of investigation to make the fact apparent. The statement applies 
no less forcefully to bodies of men than to individuals. Atthe recent 
meeting at Rochester a ninth part of the time occupied by the Ameri- 
can Association for the Advancement of Science in its annual sessions 
was set apart to the exclusive control of the botanists by the establish- 
ment of a botanical section. This came about chiefly through the 
efforts of the non-botanical members of the society, who said that the 
botanists were so numerous and active, had so many and valuable 
papers, were such an important element, that it was their due; and so 
while mathematics and astronomy must share rooms, officers and time, 
as well as geology and geography and some other subjects, botany has 
anexclusive portion. It was evident to the Association that the bot- 
anists constituted a live body. 
That this appearance of activity, which did not escape even those 
who probably possess but an indistinct notion of the domain of bot- 
any, is well grounded, was abundantly demonstrated during the ses- 
sions in numerous ways, and in none better than in the action upon 
the question of astable nomenclature. In the most business like man- 
_ her, and with an enthusiasm, directness and good feeling which would 
have done credit to any deliberative body, the question that for years" 
has been supposed to endanger the rational progress of the science and 
_ Mthe hands of the more youthful and radical advocates threatened to 
Plunge American botany into chaos, was taken up, discussed, the most 
important features formulated and agreed to, a delegate to the con- 
_ Yention at Genoa appointed, the money to defray his expenses sub- 
_ Seribed, and the mission to secure the co-operation of the botanists of 
Europe begun before the session at Rochester had closed. The results 
_ Ot the Congress at Genoa have been most satisfactory, and are espec: 
Tally flattering to the foresight and zeal of American botanists, whose 
“ews have received marked consideration. ; 
__ There is, therefore, no reason to think that the botanists of this 
_ Sountry cannot do well whatever they undertake. There 1s further- 
. © NO reason to suppose that they will shirk a manifest responsibil- 
My; and yetthey are dangerously near such a point. Whether th 
