Botanical Names

All species of plants belong to some particular genus, and bear a

botanical, as well as a common name, by which they are distinguished.

Those who have studied botany will know the exact botanical name of the

plants in most collections. We sometimes see persons making themselves

ridiculous by a pretended display of knowledge on matters of

horticulture and botany, giving or pretending to give the botanical name

of every plant one may happen to mention. The following anecdote will

apply to such: Mr. Sidney Smith, the famous English writer, was once

visiting the conservatory of a young lady who was proud of her plants

and flowers, and used (not very accurately) a profusion of botanical

names. "Madam," he said, "have you the Psoriasis septennis?" "No," she

said, very innocently, "I had it last winter, and I gave it to the

Archbishop of Canterbury, and it came out beautifully in the spring."

Psoriasis septennis, is the medical name for the "Seven year Itch!"