90 
ADIANTACE.E. 
The figures of this species are generally cha- 
racteristic, but the nomenclature is very confused, 
both as regards genus and species. In the first 
place, the genus Osmunda, under which it was 
placed by Linneus, is now, by universal consent, 
confined to ferns of a very different group ; and, 
in the second place, the specific name of spicant 
is not in accordance with the general usage of sci- 
ence, vfhich requires such names to be Latin words, 
or constructed in imitation of the Latin language. 
The last question may be dismissed in a few words. 
If we once admit the principle of changing spe- 
cific names, in accordance with our own views on 
the subject, we shall never have a settled nomen- 
clature ; and, therefore, our adherence to the 
Linnean names of species cannot be too rigid. 
The name of the genus is a much more difficult 
matter to settle. I believe that Withering was 
the first author who ventured to transfer this spe- 
cies from the Linnean genus Osmunda to the Lin- 
nean genus Blechnum, an alteration made, ac- 
cording to its author, “ in compliance with the 
opinion of Dr. Smith and Mr. Hobson. ” The 
name thus became Blechnum spicant ; and, ten 
years subsequently, the change was 
adopted by Swartz* as regards the ge- 
nus, and the specific name altered from 
spicant to horeale. Willdenow, in 
his ‘ Species Plantarum,’ instituted the 
Fertile frond. k, 1. Barren fronds. m. Pinnule of liarren frond, showing the venation. 
Synopsis Filicum (1806), p. 115. 
