but since the great increase in the number of genera, both in Zoology 
and Botany, has rendered an extensive study of both sciences by the 
same individual almost impossible, this evil can scarcely ever now be 
corrected without producing still greater confusion. 
5. Others again, without sufficient reason, have proposed to dis- 
card certain names because they were contrary to the Linnean canons; 
and this has been done more especially for the sake of euphony. But 
this, in the present day, would lead to interminable alterations ; for 
what is considered harsh in one language is often not so in another, 
and botanical nomenclature is made for the whole scientific world, 
not for any one nation. Thus the Russian Kraschennisiikovia, the 
Polish Andrzejowskia, the German Kirsch liegeria, Schwenkfeldia, 
or Escholtzia, which sound so awful to og are gor pi me a 
respective authors when compa ed to our 
Sedgwichia, Matthewsia. Chases therefore for mere enn are a 
to be deprecated. 
It is under the sanction of the third of these cases—viz. the subdi- 
vision of genera, that the most frequent alterations are made, and it is 
here that the imperfection of human capacity will éver lead to variation 
and uncertainty. Wherever, as the science advances and the number 
of species increases, the expediency of breaking up a genus is very 
evident, if undertaken by a competent author, the result of his labour 
is usually at once adopted, and but little inconvenience follows; but 
unfortunately, it is now very much the custom for young and inex- 
perienced botanists to commence their career by splitting up old gen- 
era into groups, which they establish on arbitrary principles; others 
then refuse to accede to the alterations, and so every species acquires 
two or more names, until nothing but confusion ensues, which the 
true botanist regrets sincerely though the remedy be out of his power. 
The subdivision of Kennedya, first proposed in the second volume of 
the Annals of the Vienna Museum of Natural History and now adopt- 
ed, was only resolved upon after a careful examination of the greater 
number of species now known (about 20) and of all those of neigh- 
bouring groups which could be obtained, and the result was a convic- 
- tion that the arrangement would be much more conformable to the 
principles upon which other Phaseole are distinguished, and the genera 
be much easier understood and defined, if four distinct groups were es- 
tablished,independantly of the Kennedya tabacina, which with the Gly- 
* 
