DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



147 



218. 



Generic names should consist only of one word, otherwise 

 the additional trivial name would make up three names. Yet 

 we have adopted many names formed on a different principle, 

 because they have been in immemorial use; {Rosmarinus ^ 

 Cornucopia, Semper vivum.) 



219. 



Generic names should designate definite genera of plants. 

 They ought not, therefore, to be family names. (Gramen^ 

 Filix, Lichen.) These names, too, ought not to be taken 

 from other sciences and arts, especially not from other parts 

 of natural history, {Naias, Elephas, Natrix, Buprestis) : but 

 even here long use has its privilege ; {Heliotr opium, Hyaciur- 

 thus, Pastinaca, Tax us). 



220. 



As we are often at a loss for generic names, it is allowable 

 to borrow an allegorical name from mythology. This prac- 

 tice is allowable, but not to be imitated ; {Adonis, Narcissus, 

 Danais, Urania, Hecated). To denote his perplexity, Lin- 

 naeus called a plant Quisqualis. 



221. 



From the earliest times it has been a custom to honour the 

 merits of great promoters of botany, by naming plants after 

 them. When neither flattery, nor other private views, lead 

 to this practice, it may be justified ; (Mithridatea, Eupato- 

 rium, Cliffbrtia, Josephinia, Munchausia). But the prac- 

 tice is very reprehensible, when later botanists have sought, 

 by means of it, to do an agreeable service to their superiors, 

 or to make themselves acceptable to them ; (Ferdinafida, 

 Napoleona, Bonapartea, Theodora, Carhdovica, Alexan^ 

 dra). 



222. 



To preserve, in this way, the memory of meritorious bo- 

 tanists, is a laudable custom, which must, however, be in- 



K 2 



