280 NOTICES OF BOOKS AND MEMOIRS. 



Examples: 



Adenikona instead of Adenanthera. 

 Afallantlms „ Aphyllanthus. 

 Dirythmse for the Sweetwilliam. 

 Zygofallae instead of Zygopliyllura — (p. 13). 



The airy manner in which Dr. Saint-Lager proposes to constitute 

 new generic names, as Glechonion and Meladenrfron, as well as to 

 set aside names like Anteuphorbium and Aphaca, which were 

 perfectly well known as single names long before Linnaeus came 

 into existence, shows his eminent unfitness for universal censor- 

 ship. The comparison between such names as " Sulphate d'Epsom " 

 and "Arsenitede Scheele ' with modern botanical nomenclature 

 is singularly unapt ; the names given by the herbalists of the 

 Middle Ages indeed might be adduced as their phytological equi- 

 valents. More than enough has been said on this head; the book 

 is worth reading by those who are careless in name-making, but it 

 is fortunately powerless to set aside accepted nomenclature ; what 

 Salisbury could not do, seventy years ago, will not be accomplished 

 now by Dr. Saint-Lager. 



Some apology may be expected for introducing here the singular 

 production of Mr. Euskin ; nevertheless the step from our last book 

 to this is not so great as might be thought. But whereas Dr. Saint- 

 Lager mostly kept within limits respected by botanists, Mr. Euskin 

 at once breaks out of bounds. With his accustomed fluency he runs 

 on, heaping abuse upon " unscholarly botanists" who call a plant 

 this or that, and then passing on to praise Linmeus's language, 

 all the while unknowing that the latter was responsible for nearly 

 everything that rouses his indignation. A few excerpts will display 

 the author's peculiarities better than a long description : 



"I do not care much to assert or debate my reason for the 



changes of nomenclature made The most gratuitous 



is that of 'Lucy* for * Gentian,' because the King of Macedon, from 

 whom the flower has been so long named, was by no means a 

 person deserving of so consecrated memory."— (p. 161.) 



" Names with the feminine termination 'a,' if they are real 

 names of girls, will always mean flowers that are perfectly pretty 

 and perfectly good (Lucia, Viola," Margarita, Clarissa). Names 

 terminating in 'a,' which are also accepted names of girls, may 

 sometimes be none the less honourable (Primula, Campanula), 

 but for the most part will signify either plants that are only good 

 and worthy in a nursy sort of way (Salvia), or that are good 

 without being pretty (Lavandula), or pretty without being good 

 (Kalmia). But no name terminating in 'a' will be attached to a 

 plant that is neither ^ood nor pretty."— (pp. 204-5.) 



* [Tt seems hardly right to include Viola in this category. " Boullay 

 discovered in the root, leaves, Bowers, and seeds [of Viola odoratal an alkaloid, 

 resembling the cmeHa of ipecacuanha, which he termed violin*. This alkaline 



principle was found by Ortila to be an energetic poison. It may probably prove 

 to be identical with emetia." Bentley and Tiimen'i ■ Medicinal Plants,' t. 20.— 

 Ed. Journ. ]>ot.] 



