INTEODUCTION. XXV 



the proper present nomenclature of specimens differently labelled 

 in the herbarium. Moveover, in looking regularly through the 

 collection for such a purpose, some alterations or explanations 

 would probably be made, such as might never be made without 

 that sort of compulsory opportunity. Still, the inclination to 

 destroy it remains unchanged ; and the reasons for so doing 

 appear valid and cogent.* 



The existing peculiarities of the collection, which would 

 render it liable to be misunderstood or misused, if left without 

 counter-check, may be briefly adverted to here, as bearing 

 intimately on the object of this volume, and more particularly 

 in its citation of personal testimony derived from labelled speci- 

 mens. The herbarium has been in course, of collection during 

 many years; the time ranging: from the student life of the 

 collector to old age, say, through -the dates of 1830 — 1880 and 

 something over. Gradually, during those two score years and 

 upwards, many changes have been made in the nomenclature 

 of the plants ; and those name-changes not seldom arising out 

 of changed views on the limits and distinctions of species. Thus, 

 the names entered in the herbarium often will require to be 

 construed with strict reference to dates, and by botanists 

 sufficiently familiar with the botanical histories of the species 

 to which they are applied. Young botanists are always more 

 or less deficient in this requisite ; and the conceited and self- 

 confident among them naturally misinterpret their own mental 

 vacuities into errors on the part of the labelling herbalist. 



In various instances a name formerly used by common con- 

 sent, and thus designating a plant for the time being, has been 

 subseqixently transferred to quite a distinct plant ; another name 

 being then bestowed upon the plant formerly so designated. 

 And as we cannot teach or persuade every botanist forthwith to 

 understand and accept the change of nomenclature, there comes 



* Several years after this was written, Mr. Watson presented his Herbarium 

 to the National Collection at Eew, and after his death it was removed there, 

 and is now kept in the same room as that of Mr. Borrer. 



