112 BULLETIN OF THE 



therefore remark at the outset that the best common name for a 

 plant is always its systematic name, and this should be made a sub- 

 stitute for other popular names wherever and whenever it can be 

 done. In most cases the names of the genera can be employed 

 with entire convenience and safety ; and in many cases they are to 

 be defended on the ground of euphony. How much better, for 

 example, the name Brunella sounds than either Self-heal, or Heal- 

 all, both of which latter, so far as their meaning goes, express an 

 utter falsehood. Some works professing to give common names 

 frequently repeat the generic name, as such. This has seemed to 

 me both unnecessary and calculated to mislead. It is not done 

 where other accepted common names exist, and thus the implication 

 is that in such cases it is incorrect to use the Latin name. Again 

 it is only done for the commoner species, leaving it to be inferred 

 that there is no popular way of designating the rarer ones. The 

 plan here followed is to regard the genus as the best name to use in 

 all cases, and as ex officio the proper common name of every plant, 

 and, therefore, not in need of being repeated in different type as 

 such in any case. But in addition it has been deemed best to 

 give such appropriate or well established common names as can be 

 found. Some scientific men seem disposed to forget that it is the 

 things rather than the names that constitute the objects of scientific 

 study. There is a vast amount of true scientific observation made 

 by mere school-girls and rustics, who do not know the name of the 

 branch of science they are pursuing. A knowledge of a plant by 

 whatever name or by no name at all is scientific knowledge, and 

 the devotees of science should care less for the means than the end 

 which they have in view. Individuals differ in their constitution 

 and character. The sound or sight of a Latin word is sometimes 

 sufficient, in consequence of ineradicable, constitutional or acquired 

 idiosyncrasies, to repel a promising young man, or woman, from the 

 pursuit of a science for which genuine aptitude and fondness exist. 

 For such and other classes, common English names have a true 

 scientific value. The object should be to inspire a love for plants 

 in all who can be made to take an interest in them, and to this end 

 to render the science of Botany attractive by every legitimate 

 means available. In so far, therefore, as English names of plants 

 can be made conducive to this end, they should be employed. 

 Their inadequacy to the true needs of the science in its later stages 



