THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



49' 



Botanical nomenclature is, theoretically at least, a 

 language, and slioulcl reach stability by custom and good 

 usage, and by that alone it will do so. Can we expect 

 stability, when we offer a standing reward by which the 

 man who wishes a change in a plant's name has his own 

 name cited thereafter in connection with it ? If this be 

 not the cause of much name changing, it is no less a fact 

 that under such a system, synonyms have reached their 

 present unwieldy bulk and are growing every day, and I 

 believe will increase to the end of all time, under present 

 methods. 



As long as a new combination, some ''prior" generic 

 name, some "prior" specific name, some slight variation 

 in shape of leaf or bract or even color of anther, stands as 

 a reward by which some men, can cite their own names as 

 authority for a new species, instead of those of another 

 man, trivial excuses for such acts will be found. It is no 

 less justice to the men who are not afflicted with such a 

 craving to conspicuity, than to prevent injustice, that the 

 change of method be made. — From article by C. G. Lloyd 

 in American Journal of Pharmacy. 



SOME QUEER TEAS. 



Some time ago, there appeared in the London Globe 

 Sin article with the above title which we reproduce here 

 for its bearing upon American plants. New Jersey tea,, 

 made from the leaves of Ceanothus Americanus seems to 

 have escaped the writer's notice but it would doubtless be 

 much more palatable than that made from the ribwort. 



''In early tea drinking days, when fragrant Bohea was 

 sold for from twelve to twenty shillings and more a pound 

 poor folk, who could not afford such a luxury, endeavour- 

 ed to content themselves with decoctions from less expen- 

 sive leaves. A great favourite of old was sage tea, which 

 was regarded not only as a pleasant but a particularly 

 wholesome drink. John Wesley, who was a determined 

 opponent of the Chinese leaf, strongly recommended sage 

 as well as mint and pennyroyal, as an excellent substitute ; 



