1895.] Recent Literature. 351 
sible, its synonymy adjusted in accordance with the Paris Code of 1867, 
as interpreted by the botanists at Rochester in 1892 (“ Rochester 
Rules”). Thus the point of beginning for generic and specific names 
is 1753, the date of the first edition of the Species Plantarum of Lin- 
næus, and in all cases “ priority of publication ” has been regarded as 
of prime importance in the determination of the name to be employed. 
Thus we have here given that name for each plant which these 
botanical laws indicate, and in the list of synonyms we find the names 
which these same laws compel us to reject. The treatment may be 
better understood by a couple of examples, as follows: 
1953. Cleome serrulata Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 441 (1814). 
Cleoma integrifolia T. & G., Fl. N. A. I: 122 (1838). 
4303. Taraxacum taraxacum (L.). Karst. Deutsch. Fl. 1138 
(1880-83). 
Leontodon taraxacum L., Sp. Pl. 798 (1753). 
Taraxacum officinale Weber., Prim. Fl. Holst. 56 (1780). 
Taraxacum dens-leonis Desf., Fl. Atlant. 2: 228 (1800). 
What more could be asked? The whole history of the species is 
here given so plainly that any one may verify each step for himself. 
That the work will be found to contain errors and omissions goes with- 
out saying. The committee did not expect to present a faultless work, 
but they did set before themselves the task of making an honest, plain 
list in which they record their findings, and for this the botanists of all 
sects and schools, in all parts of the world owe them a deep debt of 
gratitude. 
CHARLES E. Bessry. 
Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission Vol. XII.*—This 
quarto volume contains eleven important papers on fishes of the 
United States, prepared by specialists, together with a report on the 
Oyster Industry of Maryland, by C. H. Stevenson. Much of the in- 
formation imparted in these papers is new, and valuable either from 
an economic, or a purely scientific standpoint. All are splendidly 
illustrated with page plates, making in all 118 plates accompanying 
the text. The following table of contents shows the range of subjects 
treated. 
Bean, T. H. Bibliography of the Salmon of Alaska and adjacent 
Regions.—Life History of the Salmon.—Eigenmann, ©. H. On the 
3 Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. Vol. XII for 1892. Wash- 
ington, 1894. 
