BOOK NEWS. 



It is well known that the genus Gymnogramme, as usually 

 considered, contains ferns of widely different aspect and char- 

 acter. More than one author has suggested a division, and the 

 latest. Prof. L. M. Underwood, has now separated the twenty- 

 six American species into no less than eight genera. Even con- 

 servative botanists are willing to admit that the group needs 

 some revision, though whether the lines can be stretched so far. 

 each student must decide for himself. The reviewer would have 

 welcomed a little more explanation of the reasons for the 

 adoption of each genus. Prof. Underwood should remember 

 that there are many fern students in the world who will not 

 accept anyone's dictum unless good and sufficient reasons for 

 doing so are given. This revision also points a moral for those 

 who are fond of the "new nomenclature'' in the treatment of the 

 fern we have long called Gymnogramme triangularis. In 1900 

 Prof. Underwood decided this was Gymnopteris triangularis, 

 and now, two years later, he again changes it to Ceropteris tri- 

 angularis. Dilettante botanists will perhaps find amusement in 

 following up these lightning changes, but we who must use 

 terms that convey some meaning will have to stick to the name of 

 Gymnogramme until the species becomes permanently settled in 

 the directory. 



One thing lost to science through the ignorance of species 

 makers, is the purity of its nomenclature. Frederic E. Clements, 

 who has been investigating the matter, finds a very mixed lot of 

 names, and in the December number of University Studies, pub- 

 lished at Lincoln, Nebr., he lays down a few rules by the use ot 

 which botanical nomenclature may be vastly improved. The rule 

 that pleases the reviewer most is the one to do away with 

 the practice of "honoring'' plant students and collectors by nam 

 ing genera after them. This practice has become very common 

 in recent years and led to such monstrosities in names as John- 

 smithotoma. Igsmithia. Balfourodendrum, Greeneina and Hodg- 

 soniola. The author gives a list of more than two hundred such 

 abominations. He would also abolish all anograms, of which 

 there are twenty-five or more known. Every botanist who would 



