SOME NAMES OF PLANTS 221 



need of other names in their places. A few long 

 awkward names such as Rhododendron have passed 

 in with them, but as they are generally known they 

 must also remain. 



But among well-known plant - names there are 

 some curious vagaries, for we commonly call the fine 

 flowering shrub Philaddplms " Syringa," which is the 

 botanical name of the Lilac, and it is much more generally 

 known as Syringa than by the English name Mock- 

 Orange. Another example of the botanical name of 

 one plant being used as the popular name of another 

 is that of the family Tropceolum. Who can say why 

 we call it " Nasturtium," which is the botanical 

 name of the Water-cress ? 



Sometimes a plant is popularly known by its own 

 specific botanical name as in the cases of Oleander, 

 Auricula, and Hepatica. These are botanically Nerium 

 Oleander, Primula Auricula, and Anemo7ie Hepatica. 

 But there is a reasonable excuse for this practice, 

 because they were classed by the older botanists under 

 those names as generic which are now retained as 

 specific only ; and according to botanical usage, which 

 by no means disregards the concerns of etymology, this 

 fact in the plant's history is recorded by the capital 

 letter being retained in the specific name. 



I can only think of one English plant-name that 

 is made from a true specific name. This is the Tube- 

 rose {Polianthes tuber osa). It reminds me of a dear 

 old garden friend and true lover of plants, whose 



