THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 43 
that it is in harmony with common usage where the 
famih- title is derived from the name of a representative 
genus of the family ; secondly, that it calls to mind the 
most frequent, almost invariable feature of the plants, 
namely their star-like heads. 
On the other hand, the old name Co/npos/t/e, bestowed 
at a time when the heads were supposetl to be individual 
Howers made up of other smaller ones, is so deei)lv rooted 
in usage of literature andaddress that it would l)e a crime 
minute florets, and surrounded hy a Jalyx-like involucrt 
emies for the teacher to dismiss this interesting fami 
with the remark that it was too diOicult for his pu])i 
This commonlv meant that he did not undcrstan.l it hii 
self While the difficulties are irreat and should not 
minimized, they are not insurmountable. Any cle. 
headed sch()lar is capable of overcoming them. 
To do this, wc have ever found it expedient to wri 
an accurate description before making attempt to tra 
tlie plant to its name. Every beginner has a tendency 
chase a plant to the title he thinks belongs to it. Thus 
have often iiad the white- weed {C}iry.<aiitlwwarn Icucn 
{Bcni:i fK-rcr ■ ^ r- ■ :-.-..bserver had caught at 
inches in height, wit 
:he contrarv, shov/s i 
ieight. The shai)e o 
vorked back from the^^ 
ided, nor does the pupil look ali at once upon 
