318 The Botanical Gazette. 
departments. In order that these questions may be suitable forthe 
' program of an international congress they should interest botanists ¢ 
whatever locality, or whatever language, and be genuinely debatable 
Matters of fact do not call for discussion, but for investigation De 
ductions, opinions, methods, usage and doctrines may be discuss 
The class of questions most intimately affecting a large numberd 
botanists, and which can be brought to a satisfactory solution east 
and quicker by word of mouth than by pen are those relating tous 
and of these the nomenclature of classification is the most promines, 
and should first receive attention. : 
To say that one is already tired of the seemingly interminable d+ 
cussion of the nomenclature question is frivolous. It isa fu ; 
ally important matter, and can only be settled by a better general 
derstanding of the situation, and an authoritative agreement upon the 
chief points in debate. The sooner this is done the better for thewha® 
science of botany, and of the allied fields of horticulture, ete. who 
will not take hold of the work at hand because it is not thes® 
preferred, may be looked upon as a doubtful helper at any time 
But wHILe the so-called nomenclature question should be taken 
by the congress, because most prominent and most urgent, there 
reason, and no disposition so far as we know, to exclude other 
tions suitable to the occasion. If any one has a topic in mind 
he thinks appropriate for such a gathering, he should communicate 
to some member of the committee. Whoever has nothing 
however, would do well to bear in mind that it is ungest! 
taste for him who does not work to criticise him who coe Me 
THE OPPONENTS of the congress are undoubtedly ete 
that a congress which does not uniformly represent the sever 
cal interests in various parts of the world, can not P estos 
to exercise the full powers of legislation. But the = it a 
which a well constituted congress are to pass can net ES" ; 
: se al be held at Madiso® 
single discussion, and gatherings like that to ja 
if imperfectly representative, will greatly hasten 4 be é 
derstanding and lead up to the final decision. 
what one can and working toward the desired goal, 
ing idly for the ideal opportunity. . should be be 
THERE IS STILL another reason why 4 congress red by E 
this time. America needs to be botanically eet + may be 
The country has botanical wealth; a little pages and it bas 
compared with foreign riches, but still there 1s spttet ti 
barel to th tice of most foreigners. herpes 
arely come to the noti ward Chicag® 
aa 
70 
there be, than when all the world is looking t 
