Laws of Botanical Nomenclature. 63 
Art. IX.—Laws of Botanical Nomenclature adopted by the 
International Botanical Congress held at Paris in August, 
1867; together with an Historical Introduction and Com- 
mentar ry. By AtpHonse .DeCanpo.ie. Translated from 
the French. 
*,.* We reprint, from the English Transl os published by L. 
Reeve & Oo. .. (London, 1868, pp. 72, 8vo) t 
Laws or BorantcaL NOMENCLATURE ADOPTED BY THE CONGRESS. 
General considerations and leading principles. 
Articte 1, Natural History can make no real progress with- 
out a regular system of nomenclature, acknowledged and used 
by a large majority of naturalists of all countries. 
.2. Therules of nomenclature should neither be arbitrary, 
imposed by authority. They must be founded on consid- 
sation clear and forcible enough for every one to comprehend 
and be disposed to accept. 
. 3. The essential point in nomenclature is to avoid or to 
reject the use of forms, or names, that may create error or am- 
ity, or throw confusion into science. 
Next in importance is the avoidance of any useless introduc- 
tion of new nam 
Other considerations, such as absolute grammatical ¢errect- 
ness, regularity or euphony of names, a more or less prevailing” 
custom, respect for persons, etc., notwithstanding their unde- 
niable importance, are relatively accessory. a 
Art. 4. No custom contrary to rule can be maintained if it 
leads to confusion or error. When a custom offers no serious 
inconvenience of this kind, it may be a motive for peser are ae 
which we must, however, abstain from extending or imitating. 
In the absence of rule, or where the — of rules are 
eyes established custom becom : 
W ries of cua sts 
. =< or nist terms, expressing Sa nature of the groups 
et Gee yemgon one within another. 2. Names particular 1 
oth ne oe of = or animals that observatio} 
