NOMENCLATURE OF PLANTS. 207 
§ 206. 
Tournefort, who undertook to reform the science 
of Botany, established genera, and invented names 
for them: but the species were still distinguished 
by short and often imperfect descriptions. The ge- 
neric name was then, it is true, better defined, but 
the species were left still undetermined. In this, as 
in every other department of the science of Botany, 
Linneus has performed the most eminent service 
by establishing a generic name, (omen genericum), 
and a trivial name, (nomen triviale), to every plant. 
The rule by which these names are imposed is as 
follows : 
§ 207. 
Each genus must be defined and properly denomi- 
nated; and every new genus must likewise have a new 
name. A name once properly imposed, is not af- 
terwards to be changed. None but a botanist, who 
is acquainted with the names of all other plants, 
has aright to impose a name, lest the same genus 
should receive two different names. 
be § 208. 
Generally received names must be preserved; and 
when new discovered plants receive two names from 
different botanists, the first that was imposed, if it is 
a good one, must be adopted. 
’ As most botanists now follow Linnzeus,' it is their 
duty to preserve his names when they are applied to 
true xenera. In newly discovered plants, it often 
! ; happens 
