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1890] OPEN LETTERS 339 
urbing elements in our present nomenclature so that the settlement may 
reach all of them. Dr. Kuntze believes that this work can hardly be done in 
a thorough manner between now and Igoo. 
In a circular to the Société Botanique de France, published in March of 
the present year, Dr. Kuntze reiterates the importance of preparation for the 
projected congress. He says: ‘It (the congress) cannot honestly inscribe in 
international preparation lasting three years at least.” When it is remem- 
bered that Dr. Kuntze’s scheme of such a congress involves the putting out 
of a ““Nomenclator Plantarum omnium,” it will be seen that the importance 
of preparation is not exaggerated. Dr. Kuntze possesses qualifications both 
of experience and otherwise that point him out for the compiler of such 
anomenclator. It would be a great pity to throw away the opportunity of 
securing his services in constructing one upon the lines of an international 
code. He will doubtless go on with his work of preparing it in any case. 
In the Oesterreichische Botanische Zeitschrift for May of this year, in the 
Journal de Botanigue of May 16, in the Bulletin de [ Herbier Boisster for July, 
and the Journal of Botany of the same month, are articles by Dr. Kuntze, 
in each of which he urges the necessity of a congress and points out the dan- 
ger of the present state of things. It seems proper to call attention to these 
articles if only because of the sincerity and admirable zeal of their author. 
The repeated protests of Dr. Kuntze against the establishment of four or 
five distinct nomenclatures in as many places are not to be treated lightly. 
One great object of nomenclature is to secure international currency for plant 
names. If we are not to have this, we may as well throw Latin nomenclature 
ee and use the vernacular. The condition of things in which “sage brush” 
sets into European works as “ Salvia” is not greatly bettered by one in which 
four or five nomenclators will have to be used and cross references made in 
order to be sure what a given binomial refers to, I have followed and shall 
Continue to follow the Rochester rules because I see no other rules available 
«(© be content with legislation for their own needs and are to remain indif- 
seek even to hinder international action, will Dr. Kuntze’s taunt that 
We are anarchists be wholly unwarranted? 
oy » Mr. Erwin F. Smith's “ Protest” against the check-list, he says: 
Thllog fe speedy convening of a representative international 
eh ape which shall amend the Paris code vine and on l — 
ave been oe disputed interpretations of this code. Those re) eit 
should oo “aes abide in anarchy till such a congress = se ei 
More conse ¢ less active in urging competent international action 
Tvative brothers.— Roscoe PounpD, Lincoln, Nebraska: 
