222 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH - 
retained. While the scope of this rule is left to the discretion of writers, it 
is urged that generic nomenclature should not at present depart far from 
that of the three important works, Bentham and Hooker's Genera Plantarum; 
Baillon’s Histoire des Plantes, and Engler and Prantl’s Natirliche Pflanzen. 
familien, from which for some time to come our most complete and accurate 
information as to generic limits and affinities is to be derived.” 
I have answered this in Revis7o I11™ as follows: A rule which is left to a 
the discretion of any botanist is no rule at all. The differences between (1) 
Baillon’s Histoire des Plantes, who after 1891 accepted 70 per cent, of my 
nomenclature, reformed according to the Paris Code: (2) Bentham and 
Hooker’s Genera Plantarum ; (3) the disorderly nomenclature in 10 volumes 
of Engler and Prantl’s Pflanzenfamilien by 62 collaborators ; and (4) Engler's © 
Supplementary nomenclature, corrected according to his rules, illustrate with- 
out further discussion the results of the method suggested, The numerous 
differences in nomenclature can only be removed by fixed rules, which are 
also necessary in consequence of the complications arising from competing 
generic homonyms. Order in nomenclature can only be restored by a Colt 
sistent application of the rules of the Paris Code, which were adopted by the 
only international convention that has been held. 
2. The Check List party, led by Professor Britton and others, with three 
names 
which would be substituted for without profit. Formerly, | called he 
for genera “ initium ignorantium,” but now, since its eminent barmntsles 
been demonstrated, it becomes the “initium stupidorum ” for those who 
tain it and are not able to prove the contrary. aan 
The priority of place principle has been applied until now to OM" 
