X 
PREFACE. 
It was found impossible to change the professor's method 
of giving binominals to his /3, 7, etc., without altering the 
descriptions given. As this was not permitted, the method 
was retained, though contrary to the code. But my main 
endeavour has been to make the names correct. This is 
more important than priority. The use of Myosotis 
scorpioides L. instead of M. palustris With, is wrong, since 
every British Myosotis is M. scorpioides L. On the other 
hand, the use of 31. scoipioides L. emend. Rendle and 
Britten is correct. An attempt has therefore been made 
to cite throughout the author who first gave the name the 
(approximate) connotation expressed in this book. It was 
difficult in some cases to determine exactly what limits the 
professor intended, but it was assumed that the diagnosis 
included everything known which it did not exclude. It 
is hoped that the nomenclature is now fairly accurate. 
Since the greater part of this reprint has been completed 
much new work has appeared and further changes in name 
necessitated. Those which appear to be certainly well founded 
are included in the corrigenda. It is unfortunate that there 
is this continual change. Part of it can never be elim- 
inated because it is due to increasing knowledge of the 
plants themselves. Part of it is due merely to controversy 
over the rules, and it seems doubtful whether these are yet 
stabilised. Many problems are at the present time being 
reopened, and little agreement forthcoming. Even one's 
personal opinion is liable to fluctuation. Examples of 
"orthographic corrections" of spelling given in the current 
volume of the Journal of Botany have made me doubt the 
wisdom of correcting Eieocharis and Elodea to Jleleocharis 
and Helodea. It seems probable that we cannot at present 
hope for any finality in the direction of uniformity, wherefore 
I have laid stress on the need for accuracy in correct citation. 
Jdeutilication consists in saying what you make out (facio) 
