46 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
present state, no worse use of time can, in my view, be pos- 
sibly made, either by gardener or botanist, than to occupy it in 
seeking to fasten on his brother plant-lover responsibility for 
the confusion. 
To the extent of this confusion the figures I have just given 
scarcely do justice. For it might be said that out-of-the-way 
and little known kinds were responsible for it all, and that in 
regard to others such confusion did not exist. The fact is 
otherwise. Take, for instance. Primula integrifolia of Linnaeus, 
a well-known plant and a well-known name. Yet this name 
has been used by no less than five botanists as that for as many 
other and quite distinct species. I could multiply instances 
indefinitely, but it is needless. 
It is, I believe, a canon law in botanical nomenclature that 
the name rightly belongs to that plant to which it was ^irs^ 
applied, and this rule may largely correct the mischief for tho se 
botanists — surely few, if any — who are learned enough in all 
plant history to apply it. But, for the bulk of us at least, the 
confusion remains. For this reason, and for others, I would 
strongly enforce on new students of the genus what was said by 
Mr. Baker at the last Conference, that it " is much the best plan 
to begin by learning thoroughly the clearly distinguishable 
species, and afterwards to work out the subordinate types." 
I should venture to add that the nomenclature of some one 
leading botanist, an authority in the class, should alone be 
followed. Probably, as regards the genus Primula, this would 
be Kerner or Pax. 
And to those who are disposed to commence the cultivation 
of these plants I should venture myself to give a piece of advice 
somewhat analogous to that given by Mr. Baker in regard to 
the study of them, namely, to commence with some of the most 
typical and distinct, and, I may add, with those most easy to 
grow, and to grow, at first at least, a fair number of each rather 
than single plants of many sorts. I shall presently enumerate 
kinds I can personally recommend. 
I have only to remind you, before leaving the subject of 
nomenclature, that in tlie Report of the last Conference, already 
referred to, will be found, in addition to the longer synonymous 
list of Mr. Dewar, a short synopsis, prepared by Mr. Baker, of 
most of the principal typical species; and another and larger one 
