1871.] 259 [Edwards. 



naturally resulting, and the obstruction to the progress of knowledge 

 that would eventuate from such a mode of proceeding, is at once ap- 

 parent, and plainly points to the wisdom of the rule alluded to above. 



No doubt an ignorance of the recognized rules of nomenclature is, 

 in some cases, the cause of this mode of procedure, but a desire to 

 see one's name in print, tacked on to a species as its discoverer, is 

 also, and it is to be feared oftener, the real reason why our botanies 

 are loaded down with hundreds of confusing and avoidable synonyms. 

 Therefore it is with the desire that the nomenclature adopted when 

 describing and naming the Diatomacea?, should be made as much as 

 possible to conform to set rules, that I call the attention of students 

 to the fact that Hassall was the first to separate the sigmoid forms 

 from the genus Navicula, and to found a new genus for their recep- 

 tion. This genus he named Gyrosigma. De Brebisson objected to 

 the adoption of this name on tautological grounds, and his objection 

 has been acquiesced in by others, who have, in consequence, rejected 

 Hassall' s designation and adopted that applied to the group by 

 Smith, Pleurosigma. 



It is not my wish in this short note to in any way urge the re- 

 adoption of the name Gyrosigma, but I take the opportunity of call- 

 ing the attention of students to a point in connection with the Dia- 

 tomacese, on which time could be well spent, and would, it is plain, 

 yield to the conscientious worker very profitable returns. It is my 

 intention to do something myself, as opportunity offers, in endeavor- 

 ing to clear up some points in the synonomy of these plants, and I hope 

 for assistance in the shape of specimens, from collectors in all parts 

 of the world. To that end, I have prepared printed directions for 

 collecting and transporting gatherings, and these will be sent to any 

 one desirous of contributing to the end in view. 



Another point I would wish to say a few words on, and that is, to 

 enter my protest against the absurd habit of biologists, of giving the 

 description of species and similar groups in a foreign, dead language, 

 although the body of their paper may be in their native tongue. No 

 one can write any better in a language which is foreign to him than 

 in his own, and certainly not when the language is a dead one. De- 

 scriptions of groups of natural objects should be as clear and concise 

 as possible, and this an observer can do best in the language he has 

 been most accustomed to. Therefore, I shall always give my descrip- 

 tions in such English as I am master of, trusting to the ability of for- 

 eign observers to translate them into their vernacular. 



