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334 ON VERNACULAR NAME3.
nations, will find proper names for almost every plant, and an almost,
or even an entire absence of such generic or collective names as would
be welcomed by the botanist,—and for this simple reason, that such
generic terms can only spring up amongst people after they have com-
menced to generalize, and must not be sought for Avhere philosophical
thought has not yet penetrated. This I maintain, with a collection of
no less than 30,000 vernacular names by my side,—all alphabetically
arranged.
Mr. Collins, in quoting certain parts of the preface of my 'Nomencla-
ture of the American Flora,' paraphrases them in such a way (though
putting them between marks of quotation) that I am made to say very
different things to what I actually did say. I never hinted that a
vernacular name could possibly be " the end of inquiry itself." I
stated merely : "A well-arranged synopsis of the vernacular with the
corresponding scientific names would prove highly useful. . . . The
medical man, the chemist, the traveller [the merchant], in fine, any one
coming in contact with the vegetable kingdom, would be equally
benefited. By simply asking the native name, they would instantly
have the scientific appellation, the Icey to further inquiries. Occasional
mistakes may indeed occur, but these are the exception, not the rule."
I regret, with Mr. Collins, that vernacular names are frequently
misapplied by traders and others, though, in proportion, probably not
more so than scientific ones. Much that is at present unsatisfactory
about them would be set aside if we had a code of laws for them
as we now have, thanks to the illustrious Alph. de Candolle, for our
scientific nomenclature. But until then there will be much miscon-
ception and slovenly work. To travel no further, we have as yet not
even a complete collection of the popular names of the British Flora,
the so-called English book-names being often quite worthless render-
ings of scientific names, not such as are used by the people ;
and Mr.
Britten and friend* will do good service if they collect them from the
lips of the people.
* The two have issued the following advertisement :
" Local Names.—It is desired to collect as many as possible of tiie local
names of British plants ; and the assistance is requested of all who take an
interest in the subject, or who may have the opportunity of ascertaining and
recording them. Any lists sent to Mr. James Britten, Eoyal Herbarium, Kew,
W., or to Mr. Robert Holland, Mobberley, Knutsford, will be thankfully received
and acknowledged."
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