1 62 The American Naturalist. [March, 
of citing the author of the specific name and especially the 
introduction of the parenthesis has resulted in a confusion 
which is certainly " enough to throw a strong man into blue 
convulsions." The advantage of the old method is its simplic- 
ity. The common objection to it is that it does not give any 
credit to the author of the specific name. But credit and glory 
are not the objects in citing authorities ; surely it is not the 
only ofifice of the parenthesis to serve as a sarcophagus in 
preserving the names of botanists who might otherwise be 
forgotten. The true purpose is accuracy in determining the 
species meant. Phints are continually being described under 
names already occupied, and unless the name of the author is 
given it is impossible to know what species is meant. Now 
if one of two plants bearing the same name is put in another 
genus how, unless the authority iscited,is one to know whether 
: of the original two, and if so which ? 
t is a great convenience to have the 
the author of the specific name given also. There are several 
ways of doing this. Some cite the author of the specific name 
even after the genus has been changed, as if he were the author 
of the combination, e. g. " Hypoxylon colliculosum Schw "— 
Rav. Fung. Am. No. 742. (for H. colliculosum (Schw.) Nits.| 
No worse method could be thought of. According to this 
Sphcieria colliculosa Schw and Hypoxylon colliculosum Schw " 
are evidently two distinct things and some investigation is of 
course necessary to establish their unity. Schweinitz did not 
make the combination Hypoxylon colliculosum, and to cite him 
for it is confusing and absurd. A slightly better method is to 
give the name of the author of the specific name in a parenthe- 
sis omiting that of the author of the combination, e. g. 
"Puccinia phragmitis (Schum.) Winter Pilze 179. This 
should be P. phragmitis (Schum.) Kornicke. But many, misled 
by the omission of a name after the parenthesis, have written 
P. phragmitis (Schum.) Wint., and then P. phragmitis Wint. 
while on the other hand we find P. phragmitis Korn. In a 
large genus of intricate synonymy like Puccinia how is one 
without investigation to know that all these are the same } 
Another very peculiar method has recently broken out which 
it is to be hoped will not get abroad ; that is, to put the name 
of the author of the combination in a parenthesis after that of 
the author of the specific name thus : " Hicoria alba L. (Britt.). 
Bull, of VVashb.CoU. Vol. H, No. 9. This of course if it gains 
any foothold will give rise to all manner of false citations. 
There are only two methods which can be used without 
making endless trouble and confusion. If but one authority 
is to be cited, give the author of the combination. Consider 
accuracy and convenience rather than glory and justice so- 
