PHYTOGRAPHIC EXPRESSIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS. 19.3 



in the same relation to the finer ramifications of the venous system 

 of man and animals, as the strongest portion of the venular 

 system of plants to its subtile anastomosis, the absolute structural 

 indentity of the whole venular plexus being at once apparent, 

 when a leaf is skeletonized. Moreover we can by applying an 

 adjective modify our expression, thus giving to what was called 

 midrib, (a term contradictory in itself) the designation primary or 

 longitudinal or carinular venule, or even merely keel, and can 

 designate the other leaf-ribs readily as secondary or costular 

 venules, while veins of leaves &c. could be called tertiary or ultimate 

 or reticular or by any other adjective demanded in any special case. 



Perhaps a happier expression can be devised than that of venules; 

 but it will not be easy to find a term, which is universally 

 applicable, when we consider, how within the genus Acacia even 

 from the longitudinal parallel venulation almost of a monocotyle- 

 donous plant all transits occur to the reticular anastomosis in the 

 phyllodes of respective species. If the words rhachis or rhacheole 

 were not already otherwise employed, they might have been chosen 

 for what is called the mid-rib of leaves ; if to be considered costal 

 at all, a diminutive from sternum would seem still more out 

 of place than one from rhachis for such a homogenous and 

 basi-nxed structure with ramifications often so numerous and so^ 

 subtile. But the carinular venule, if ever so large, is never osseous, 

 seldom fragile, often elastic and even flaccid, while the great veins, 

 of animal structures show also rigidity and some supportive strength. 

 The remarks thus here offered should not merely apply to English 

 organography, but ought to hold good internationally. 



Although in innumerable cases the original interpretation of 

 the fibro-vascular tract of the vegetative organs will remain 

 permanently connected with specific and generic appellations, yet 

 this should not militate against sounder organography principles, 

 even if our former etymology and nomenclature have ever so long 

 been sanctioned by tradition. But it needs even in science some 

 time, before we can get reconciled to alterations in customary fashions 

 however much warranted ; and as regards the naming of plants, 

 ruled and fixed by rights of priority, it might not be saying too 

 much, that only for about one-third of the described species and 

 genera the names are well selected, for another third passably 

 and for the rest almost or quite inaptly. 



The next expression, to which exception has been taken in the 

 elaboration of my new work, is that of ovary ; because we never 

 employ the term ovum for the first stage of the seed of any plant. 

 The inconsonance of the combination of ovary with ovule has 

 long been perceived. In the phytographic literature of Italy 

 the term gemmularium came into use with a view of bringing it 

 into due and congruous relation to the word gemmula, that 



M-October 3, 1888. 



