Northwest Lichenologists

polite rebuke

  • 24 Oct 2015 8:30 AM
    Message # 3598472

    I thought this discussion from Harris & Ladd 2008. The lichen genus Chrysothrix in the Ozark Ecoregion, including a preliminary treatment for eastern and central North America. Opuscula Philolichenum, 5: 49-42. worth mention:


     Although Bulbotrichia (= Trentepohlia) onokoensis was described as an alga, it was promptly recognized as a lichen by the distinguished botanist (though not a lichenist) Asa Gray (1878) in a letter to the editor of the Torrey Botanical Club Bulletin which may be taken as a model of polite rebuke.

    "§ 2I5. DEAR MR. EDITOR :-Considering that your worthy CLUB bears the name of that venerable man and scrupulously conscientious botanist who disliked most of all hasty and inconsiderate publication of genera, and species, may an old botanist advise some younger ones to make haste more slowly? In particular, the proper determination of low Algae and Fungi requires not only critical study of many forms with the best appliances, but also a good acquaintance with the literature of the subject at first hand.

    It is not my vocation to look after Cryptogamic botany, and I am sincerely desirous to avoid giving offence. Yet I will venture a few remarks upon Mr. Wolle's papers on Fresh Water Algae.

    ... " Bulbotrichia onokoensis" is founded on the young thallus of a Lichen."

    Gray's observation then languished for 128 years until James Lendemer, in the process of databasing algal types at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia recognized Bulbotrichia onokoensis was a Chrysothrix. There was some minimal excuse for Wolle's error since Trentepohlia often forms orange tufts on moist rock although the color of the Chrysothrix is yellow, not orange."

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