David Douglas : Botanist and Traveller

Abstract

WHEN a taxonomist describes some hitherto unreconized form of life he is free to select what attuibutes he likes as the basis of the name the new organism shall be known—the specific only, if he assigns it to an already established genus, and both generic and specific if it is different enough to warrant the setting up of a new genus. The name, in fact, reflects only the view of one individual as to what is appropriate, and it must be admitted that where such a name perpetuates the memory of a person, the person in question has often had very little real claim to such distinction. When, however, the common designation for a plant or animal includes a person‘s name, one expects to find that the person has had much to do with making the organism widely known and has probably also taken an active part in the general field of exploration and distribution. Douglas‘s name is attached to one of the finest and most important trees of the world, and one is ready to be interested in learning more about him. It was this interest that led the author of the book under review to undertake the collection of all traceable information about this enthusiastic exploring botanist and collector, who did so much some hundred and twenty years ago to discover and introduce to Europe the wealth of trees and plants of western America, particularly the Columbia basin.

Douglas of the Fir

A Biography of David Douglas, Botanist. By Athelstan George Harney. Pp. x+290+6 plates. (Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press ; London : Oxford University Press, 1947.) 22s. net.