( 44 ) 
CHAP. 30. 
Ferfonal names given to -plants — Antiquity of~ 
Inftances in the antients — Among the monks — 
and the reft overs of botany : hy Gefner and 
yi2X'&iio\m-^Revived hy Plumier — His liberal 
and impartial uje of this privilege. 
Anecdotes of Plumier — Account of his works— 
Defcription American plants — Nova genera 
— American ferns — Five hundred of his tables 
purchafed by Boerhaave — PuhlifJjed by Burman 
. — J-Jis UAxt de Tonrner. 
PERSONAL NAxMES OF GENERA. 
PETivER and Plukenet, as far as I 
can find, were the firil Englifio writers, 
Vv'ho followed the example of Plumier in 
giving perfonal names to new genera, Pe« 
TivER is, however, feverely reprehended by 
LiNN.^us, for having conferred this ho- 
nour on fome who did not merit it : He 
obferves juftl)% that it is due to fuch alone, 
as have fignalized themfelves in the fcience. 
I take this- opportunity to remark the rife 
and 
