Synopses & Reviews
Reveals the confusion that results from misleading popular names of plants and points out the advantages of a sound, scientific approach. These few chapters cover virtually every aspect of the subject of how plants get their names and what those names signify. 11 illustrations.
Synopsis
With "knowledge, authority, charm and eloquence," author explains reasons for scientific nomenclature, history of terms, components, other helpful material.
Synopsis
Did you know that the Jerusalem cherry does not grow in or near Jerusalem? That the Spanish cedar is a native of the West Indies? That the French mulberry is neither French nor a mulberry? L. H. Bailey, in this basic introduction to botanical nomenclature, reveals the confusion that results from misleading popular names of plants and points out the fun and the advantages of a sound scientific approach. In a few short chapters, he covers virtually every aspect of the subject of how plants get their names and what those names signify.
After an opening chapter that discloses the surprising wealth of information that can be learned from a plant's botanical name, the author discusses the work of Carl Linnaeus (1707-78), the great Swedish naturalist who is "the father of botany." There is a brief history of the chaotic state of the science before it was effectively systematized, with outlines of pre-Linnaean classification schemes, followed by a full analysis of the Linnaean definitions of genus and species, the basis of modern binomial nomenclature. The following chapter, on plant identification, contains a discussion of herbariums and their value to the modern botanist, as well as valuable suggestions for amateur horticulturalists on preparing herbariums and packaging specimens to be mailed for identification purposes. Two successive chapters cover the many rules of nomenclature and focus upon some current problems in the field. Blackberries, potatoes, roses, and the amaryllis are analyzed as four illustrations of areas in which much work remains to be done.
The final section of the book is certain to prove very useful to a variety of readers. The author defines scores of common Latin stems and word-endings used in botanical nomenclature and presents a few important rules of pronunciation. Most important of all, he includes a full, 20-page list of generic terms most likely to be met in horticultural literature and 42 pages of common Latin words and their English botanical applications and meanings.
A rare combination of enthusiastic prose, well and clearly written, and scientific accuracy, this is an essential handbook for gardeners, amateur botanists, and horticulturalists as well as a superb introduction for beginning students to an important part of the botanical sciences.
"Carefully presented treatise." -- America.
"Written with knowledge and authority, charm and eloquence and poetic imagination on the varied aspects of the author's specialty." -- New York Times.
Synopsis
Charming explanation of reasons for scientific nomenclature, history of terms, components, more.
Table of Contents
I. ON MY TABLE
"Admiration of two colorful potted plants, with inquiry as to how one of them came to be called Pseudocapiscum and then Solanum PseudoCapsicum, and the other Piper indicum, then Capiscum annum and Capsicum frutescens."
II. LINNÆUS
"Appreciation of Carolus Linnæus, known also as Carl von Linné, great naturalist of Sweden, who founded the binomial system of naming plants and animals; together with references to various antecessors."
III. IDENTIFICATION
"Explanation of the importance of knowing the plant accurately before a name may be applied to, with various examples to illustrate this necessity and an account of the herbarium for record."
IV. RULES OF NOMENCLATURE
"Consideration of regulations whereby order may be maintained in applying names to the hundreds of thousands of plants and in admitting new species to the lists, and yet safeguard the freedom of the investigator in all kinds of biological work."
V. A FEW MORE
"Application of the foregoing discussions to various cultivated plants, that the reader may see how the principles work out in practice and be advised of some of the reasons, together with observations."
VI. THE NAMES AND THE WORDS
Presentation of lists of names of genera and species with suggestions on pronunciation, the usual meaning or significance of Latin adjectives when employed in botanical binomials, preceded by explanations, all to the end that the reader may find more joy in incorporating names of precision in customary speech and more satisfaction in spelling them.