346 The Botanical Gazette. [September, 
constrast to this are the reports of the National Herbarium 
for 1891, containing twenty-three per cent., and for 1892, 
containing eighteen per cent. of personal specific names. _Itis 
well to honor great men by the dedication of genera, but in 
doubtful taste to make more than a sparing use of personal 
names for species. . 
Mr. Britton said that the name of the collector was often 
more indicative than that of the country, as the travels of the 
collector are at first more definitely known than the range of 
the species. In large genera it is often difficult to obtain 
other names that are truly descriptive. Mr. Seymour made 
reference to a collector who insisted that his new species 
should bear his name. Mr. Coulter thought that personal 
ambition had very little influence, and that the practice could 
be upheld to some extent by the advantage in giving a name 
that is not likely to be duplicated, even if transferred to a- 
other genus. Mr. Bessey said he only wished to protest — 
against the abuse of the practice, and did not advocate its ab- 5 
olition. 
The Club adjourned until Tuesday morning. : 
THIRD SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 9:15:4. M. — F 
The report of the nominating committee was paises 
confirmed, thus electing the following officers for the ee: cae ! 
Dr. Douglas H. Campbell of Palo Alto, Cal., Presley 
N. L. Britton of New York City, Vice-President, ane *™ 
W. T. Swingle of Eustis, Fla., Secretary. tis wee 
The report of the committee to prepare a me shat 
again taken up. Mr. Greene reminded the Clu ‘talizae 
committee had sent out acircular letter in regard to cap! 
en ee ae es are Sees 
report. 
tion and punctuation, which was not mentioned in ee oF the 
Mr. Britton replied for the committee that about Ee forty oF 
circulars of inquiry were sent out, and that abou 
_ forty-five answers were received. The committee : 
four in favor of the older American usage Of tee 
favor of modifying it so as to remove the capital 1r0 
: : e decapital- 
phical specific names, and one in favor of eerie is 
tself stood 
two if 
: : : € ese) 
ization. The returns from the circulars dati twelve for 
between ©" 
i 
5 
: 
cal 
favor of the first method, five for the second an 
the last. In reference to the use of the comma ittee 
specific name and the authority, four of the prieee turns from 
to abandon it and three to retain it, while pyre for fe 
the circular gave eighteen for discarding and 
