= 2 = 
nicle, where Baker of Kew tries to order the ferns accordine to sar- 
den specimens. That is eqnmally difficult for the Cacti,which occupy 
me in most free hours. Interestinge questions appear about nomenclature, 
and so few cacti have been observed ard described on their home eround; 
the majority often based on young and cultivated garden specimens, 
of which quite frequently the native habitat is not even known,and 
often neither flower nor fruit „ This seens to be a discouragsing bu- 
siness to identify these with wild plants,and many feel an impossible 
one. Should one use the garden name with a ?” sien in the literature, 
or describe well-knownm wild plants, which cannot be thoroushly iden- 
tified under a new name,referrine to the questionnable garden name 
only as synonym ? 
Form; With what risht are plant names accepted in the botarical 
literature (also in DC prod) with the authority such as Hort.Berol, 
Hort.Angl. and such. I have read such citations at times,but have 
always named the description with it,such as Opuntia erandis H.Anel. 
ex Pfeiff. Caum Cact 1837 p/155 (because the Hort. Berol did not 
publizise any diagnostics), and from this description nobody can 
identify the plant; later however Salm did describe the flower,and 
from this one derives, that this plant is very close to my Opuntia 
stenopetala and may be identical.On the basis of priority O.erandis 
1837 would have preference over O.stenopetala 1858 - but, aside from 
the fact that the name is one of the worst selected,it is only throueh 
accident that the identitv of the two can be determined. With others 
it is even more shockine and obvious. With Yucca it will be simi. 
lar. 
Thank Doill for his efforts concerrine Vitis vi. Bronnar. The 
identification of the Bronnar desienation is totally irrelevant, 
but observation and collecting of various forms of flowers and fruits 
is of importance; and if this could be done, I-would be most oblised 
to Doill.Of course, necessary care must be taken, that specimens of 
7 8 9 10 MISSOURI 
. BOTANICAL 
copyright reserved GARDEN 
