x INTRODUCTION. Vol. I. 



2. The nomenclatorial type of a genus or subgenus is the species originally named or desig- 

 nated by the author of the name. If no species was designated, the type is the first 

 binomial species in order eligible under the following provisions : 



(a) The type is to be selected from a subgenus, section or other list of species originally 

 designated as typical. The publication of a new generic name as an avowed substi- 

 tute for an earlier invalid one does not change the type of a genus. 



(6) A figured species is to be selected rather than an unfigured species in the same work. 

 In the absence of a figure, preference is to be given to the first species accompanied 

 by the citation of a specimen in a regularly published series of exsiccatae. In the 

 case of genera adopted from prebinomial authors (with or without change of name), 

 a species figured by the author from whom the genus is adopted should be selected. 



(c) The application to a genus of a former specific name of one of the included species, 

 designates the type. 



(d) Where economic or indigenous species are included in the same genus with foreign 

 species, the type is to be selected from (i) the. economic species or (2) those indige- 

 nous from the standpoint of the original author of the genus. 



(e) The types of genera adopted through citations of nonbinomial literature (with or 

 without change of name), are to be selected from those of the original species 

 which receive names in the first binomial publication. The genera of Linnaeus' 

 Species Plantarum (1753) are to be typified through the citations given in his 

 Genera Plantarum (1754). 



In the present edition, the type species of genera are cited or otherwise indicated. 



English Names of Plants. 



The general desire for some English name for the different plants described has been met 

 so far as possible. All names in common use have been inserted, so far as they have come 

 to the authors' knowledge, except such as were merely local, or where they were too numer- 

 ous for insertion. An exception has also been made in a few instances where a common 

 name, from its false suggestion, as in. the name of Dog's-tooth Violet for Adder's-tongue, 

 is calculated to mislead as to the nature of the plant. Where no previous names in common 

 use could be found, the names given are founded on some characteristic circumstance of 

 description, habitat, site or author. 



In the first edition, many thousand popular names, compiled mostly by Judge Brown, 

 were printed in the General Index only. In this edition, they are all carried into the body 

 of the work in their appropriate places in connection with the descriptive text — -a great 

 convenience to those interested in plant-nomenclature. A few additional common names are 

 given in this edition. 



No similar compilation of American plant-names has been hitherto published in any other 

 work. Many of them are not to be found in any general dictionaries. To the mass of the 

 people they will afford, in connection with the illustrations, the readiest means of plant- 

 identification. 



The popular names are full of interest, from their origin, history and significance. Hun- 

 dreds of them, brought to this country by the early English Colonists, are still in current 

 use among us, though now obsolete in England. As observed in Britten and Holland's 

 work cited below, " they are derived from a variety of languages, often carrying us back to 

 the early days of our country's history, and to the various peoples who as conquerors or 

 colonists have landed on our shores and left an impress on our language. Many of these 

 old-world words are full of poetical associations, speaking to us of the thoughts and feelings 

 of the people who invented them; others tell of the ancient mythology of our ancestors, of 

 strange old medicinal usages, and of superstitions now almost forgotten." 



Most of these names suggest their own explanation. The greater number are either 

 descriptive or derived from the supposed uses, qualities or properties of the plants; many 

 refer to their habitat, appearance or resemblance real or fancied to other things ; others come 

 from poetical suggestion, affection or association with saints or persons. Many are very 

 graphic, as the western name, Prairie Fire (Castilleia coccinea) ; many are quaint or humor- 



