CHAPTER XX 



BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE 



In naming a plant, the object is to apply a name which does not and 

 cannot be made to apply to any other. A familiar illustration is the 

 name of the common Red Maple. In scientific circles the name "Red 

 Maple" cannot be regarded as sufficiently exact and definite, because 

 in different localities it is known as Soft maple, Swamp maple, White 

 maple, and Early maple; while doubtless different maples are called 

 "Red" in different localities. 



Scientific accuracy, therefore, renders it indispensable that a system 

 of botanical or scientific names, as distinguishable from the common, 

 vulgar, or trivial names, shall be employed. The name Acer is, therefore, 

 applied to the genus to which the maples belong, and this is known 

 as the generic name of all the species of Maple. One of the rules of 

 nomenclature requires that no other genus shall bear this name. In- 

 order to distinguish the different species of Acer, each must have, 

 in addition, its specific name, the Red Maple receiving the specific 

 name of Rubrum. It is, therefore, to be known as the Rubrum Acer, 

 although the Latin form, with the generic name preceding, is employed 

 thus, Acer rubrum, the specific name, except in certain cases, beginning 

 with a small letter. By another rule of nomenclature, only this par- 

 ticular Acer may be called rubrum, although this name may be applied to 

 plants in other genera than Acer. It is clear now that this combination 

 of generic and specific names yields a complete name, and this is called 

 the Binomial, which may not be applied to any other plant in the world, 

 while either its generic or specific name may be. 



It often happens that a plant name is for one reason or another 

 abandoned by some, or most, or even all botanists. It is not then 

 permitted that it be given to another plant, because it is liable at any 

 time to be used again in its old application by other botanists, so that 

 we should then come to have two plants of that name. 



In spite of the rules here stated, it frequently does happen, very 

 frequently has happened in the past, that a botanist, ignorant or care- 

 less that a certain name has been used, applies it to some other species, 



