BOOK-NOTES, NEWS, ETC, 127 



these names that we ascertained their true position. Some of the 



names are accompanied by little sketches, and it is likely that some 

 botanical archaeologist will one of these days claim that this con- 

 stitutes publication. We understand that the plants in question 

 were named by one of the Kew staff, and that the specimens are in 

 the Herbarium there. If such be the case, we trust that those who 

 are responsible for the management of that institution will take 

 immediate steps to ensure the discontinuance of so inconvenient 

 and mischievous a course of action. 



The happy discovery of Dr. Britton that "Coronopus Coronopus 

 (L.) M was the right name for the plant, on the principle of accepting 

 the oldest specific name, although contemned by Prof. Greene, finds 

 a warm defender in Mr. Conway Macmillan, in the January number 

 of the Torrey Club's Bulletin. Prof. Greene sees in the duplication 

 of names "a natural unfitness which all our sense of what is proper 

 in nomenclature shrinks from." Mr. Macmillan, on the contrary, 

 thinks it "so excellent that it will scarcely fail of universal 

 adoption (after a season of recalcitrant objection)," and proceeds to 

 take his part in the latest form of amusement by adding " Taraxacum 

 Taraxacum (Linn.)," " Ox y coccus Oxycoccus (Linn.)," and two or 

 three more to our bogus nomenclature. In the March Bulletin 

 Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell takes a hand in the game, which seems 

 likely to become popular in certain circles. " If the identical name 

 for both genus and species is to be avoided," he says, "it is the 

 genus that must go." Mr. Cockerell introduces a new move by 

 writing " Nasturtium nasturtium (L.)," the second name being spelt 

 with a small initial. 



Sixteen of the sheets of drawings of Fungi, of which Mr. W. G. 

 Smith gave some account in our February number, are now in their 

 places in the public gallery of the Botanical Department, Natural 

 History Museum. Mr. Smith was naturally precluded from saying 

 anything about the manner in which he had executed his task, 

 although every one who knows his work is aware of its excellence. 

 We think, however, that even the mycologist will be surprised at 

 the beauty of form and colour which these drawings display : and 



they are as accurate as they are beautiful. The Natural History 

 Museum is to be congratulated on this important addition to its 

 already attractive exhibits. 



The first number of Natural Science corresponds pretty accu- 

 rately with the anticipation we expressed of it last month, and its 

 raison d'etre is not very apparent. It is of course, like all Messrs. 

 Macmillan's publications, admirably printed and "got up." Its 

 most remarkable feature is the absence of any botanical paper, the 

 one by Mr. Eendle, announced in the prospectus, being delayed 

 until the April number. This seems to indicate that the (anonymous) 

 Editor has not a very accurate sense of proportion. 



Dr. M. C. Cooke announces in Grecillea for March that his 

 connection with that journal will terminate with tiie next number, 

 which will complete the twentieth volume. " Fickle health, in- 

 creasing years, and diminished vigour" are assigned as the reasons 



