Igo BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH 
to enter into details with regard to this method of classification, 
which I have found works equally well in the arctic parts of Europe 
and in the Mediterranean countries; in the primitive tropical forests of 
Ceylon, northern Australia, and Polynesia, and in the semi-arid regions 
of New South Wales and Western Australia; in New Zealand and 
in California. I may say that in my work in these countries I have 
not found it necessary to introduce any new system of naming, but 
merely to coordinate and classify previously existing conceptions. 
And I firmly believe that this working out of the synonymy will be 
the only method by which a final agreement can be reached. 
We have further to classify all the units of one kind or another 
into groups according to relationship, and to give names to them, 
availing ourselves as much as possible of terms already existing, the 
synonymy of which must be cleared up thoroughly. After laying 
down the general principles of nomenclature in the code to be recom- 
mended, we have to leave the application of these canons to the 
individual writers. 
This should be the program for a permanent committee to be 
appointed by the next international congress. Let this body then 
publish the results of their work and submit them for leisurely con- 
sideration and discussion. When conflicting opinions, if there are 
any, have been expressed, and direct or circumstantial evidence 
has been brought in to illustrate and reinforce the various principles, 
it is time to settle the matter by adopting a general code of nomen- 
clature. There can be no hope of getting any substantial improve 
ment in existing conditions through any immediate action of the 
botanical congress, because of the great diversity of opinion and 
practice that prevails, and because no definite proposal based on 
facts and logical arguments has yet been held forth which could be 
made subject to a detailed criticism. Any proposition that presents 
principles or terms without proper and clear definitions can naturally 
not be considered. - 
The question may arise as to what constitutes a definite descrip” 
tion. The degree of exactness and clearness of expression W! 
naturally vary with the different authors, but so long as there remains 
any doubt as to the feature meant by the writer his term can hardly 
expect to be generally accepted. 
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