DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



161 



V. Synonymy. 

 250. 



By Synonymes we understand the diff'erent names which a 

 plant has received in botanical works, as also those which 

 different nations assign to it in their native dialects. Both of 

 these have undeniable uses. By the former not only learn we 

 to understand the different views with which writers have 

 described plants, but we find also references to plates, which 

 are often very desirable, and we are thus able to give a com- 

 plete history of the plant. The knowledge of vulgar and 

 provincial names is often very useful for facilitating the find- 

 ing of plants in their native seats, and also for acquiring a 

 knowledge of their employments and uses. 



251. 



Scientific synonymes should be complete, sure, and free 

 from superfluity. They are complete when no work is pass- 

 ed over, in which a more exact description, or distinguished 

 nomenclature, or a figure of the plant, is "^contained. It is 

 easy to perceive, that the use of a botanical library, as com- 

 plete as possible, is important for this purpose. 



Synonymes are sure, when the cited places really treat of 

 the plants in question, and not of others. Innumerable errors 

 have crept into the science by the statement of false synonymes; 

 which errors can only be avoided by the most careful sifting 

 of these statements. It is of the first importance for obtaining 

 certainty, that no book should be cited, without having been 

 compared at the time when the plant was examined. No- 

 thing is more ruinous than to make a parade of borrowed 

 citations. We draw upon ourselves by this means the guilt 

 of propagating errors. We also proceed with certainty in re- 

 spect to synonymes, when we minutely compare the plant in 

 question with the description or figure. 



Synonymes are redundant, when insignificant writings, or 

 such as throw no particular light upon the plant, are quoted. 

 Linnaeus gave a beginning to this evil custom, by raising 



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