fcEVISIO GENERUM PLANTABUM VASCULARIUM. 59 



meaning three genera. Gh/cia disappeared when the Genera came 

 out, about fifteen months later, in favour of Astragalus, which genus 

 in its turn, in 1753, absorbed also Tragacantha. Yet, on this 

 slender foundation, and in spite of of the clear intentions of Linnaeus 

 himself, we have Dr. Kuntze adopting Tragacantha, sinking Astra- 

 galus ; and then, growing more daring as his work went on, in his 

 appendix actually turning over by name about 1500 species to the 

 rejected name Tragacantha* 



Another method is to take old names, alter the spelling under 

 pretence of emending it, and then oust received generic names in 

 their favour, for example : — 



Hondbessen of Adanson becomes Hondbesseion of Kuntze, and to 

 supersede Pmleria. 



Katoutsjeroe of the same author is to be Catutsjeron of Kuntze, 

 in place of Hoi if/a ma. 



Motcuf of the same author becomes Mokufua of Kuntze, in place 



of Ternstrcemia. 



Again, sections have been allowed generic rank, never effected 

 by their inventors, with spurious priority : here are a few : — 



Acanthonychia (§ DC. 1-828) for Pentacania. 

 Siphoneranthemmn (§ Oerst. 1831) for Eranthemum. 

 Splicer oma (§ DC. 1824) for Sphceraleea. 

 Tetraceratium (§ DC. 1824) for Tetracme. 



Yet more abhorrent to common sense are the following : — The 

 Flora Zeylanica was issued in 1747, being drawn up from Hermann's 

 herbarium ; but a large number of the names then given were sub- 

 sequently abandoned by their author, some having been based on 

 imperfect material, others being uncouth, and derived from native 

 names, so much so that Eichter has not enumerated them all in 

 his Codex Linnwanus. In 1887, Dr. Trimen, having access to the 

 original set of plants, now in the Botanical Department, British 

 Museum, and having, by his long residence in Ceylon, a very 

 extensive knowledge of the flora, critically examined them, and 

 published his determinations in the 24th volume of the Journal of 

 the Linnean Society, pp. 129-155. These rightfully neglected 

 names are now dragged forth by Dr. Kuntze, who thinks it would 

 be convenient to use such names as these : — 



Gadaxcakha for C/uetocarpns. Santalodes for Bourea. 



Kalnhaburunyhos for Cleistanthus . Stcechadomentha for Adenosma. 



Genera, which have been set aside because of their obscurity, 

 cannot be revivified by any later study ; were it otherwise, no sensible 

 person would wantonly inflict a wrong on the botanical common- 

 wealth by ascertaining the genera of old authors ; as it is it can only be 

 of antiquarian interest. Still, even Dr. Kuntze sets some limit, and 

 does not sanction the use of generic names of more than six syllables. 



Here are a few more names from this store-house of topsy- 

 turveydom :- 



Alga for Posidonia. Encodes for Erica. 



Erica for Calluna. Ricinocarpus for Acalypha. 



Obolaria for Linnaa. Oxydectes for Croton. 



Acetosella for Oxalis. Trophantm for Tropalounu 



