1897 | OPEN LETTERS 207 
more conclusive evidence had that been the primary object of an exhaustive 
bibliographical research. It seems that before Linnaeus’ work appeared, the 
plant he called Ornithogalum hirsutum had been described and in some cases 
figured by at least six different authors, and that four of these descriptions 
and two of the figures Linnaeus cited when he published the name. This 
constitutes as clear a case of actual publication as it is possible to have, and 
by a method which has been practiced by botanists’ everywhere and at all 
times. All the species in Linnaeus’ Sfecies Plantarum were published in 
essentially the same manner. If one were to publish a statement of the main 
facts in the life of George Washington, citing the dates of his birth and 
death, the battles in which he was engaged, and the official records of his 
actions while president, and should conclude “therefore, in view of these 
facts, it is evident that George Washington is a myth,” he would not be 
rawing a more erroneous conclusion than Mr. Holm when he says that 
Ornithogalum hirsutum isa nomen nudum. 
lf Ornithogalum hirsutum L.is not a nomen nudum, not only is it per- 
missible to retain the specific name when the plant is transferred to the genus 
Hypoxis, but under the rules it is mandatory to do so. It should be noted 
further that when Linnaeus in the second edition of the Species Plantarum 
placed this plant in Hypoxis, he cited first the Ornithogalum hirsutum of the 
earlier edition, followed by the same four citations he had used under that 
hame, and no others.— FREDERICK V. COVILLE, Washington, D.C. 
THE TROPICAL LABORATORY COMMISSION. 
To the Editors of the Botanical Gazette :— The editorial reference to the 
finality of the decision of the tropical laboratory commission in the GAZETTE 
for February renders it proper to say that the commission is most willingly 
amenable to advice and suggestions and will welcome any assistance which 
will enable it to perform the duties it has undertaken, to the best advantage 
of all botanical interests. It may prevent misconceptions of the status of 
the commission and of the proposed laboratory, however, to state that the com- 
“Mission is a technically independent body, and that its decisions and action 
are not subject to revision by any existing organization, botanical or otherwise. 
recent absence of the writer from his address and the extended 
am in Atlantic mails will make it impossible to announce the foreign 
membership before the tour of exploration begins. 
In the course of the coneapondeace concerning the eau letters | have 
umber of 
been received from a large number | Dolaains whe have visited — 
America. The following extract f letter fro 
eaeieeed opinion concerning the nature and value of the 
ee “and. without doubt it = bee | aborator 
i station = 
— will be of the very 
