一位植物学家,如能争取到以他的名字来命名某一个属或某一个种,将会感到十分欣慰。不管这个属或种如何低级,他的大名总可借此流传。 哈佛大学的M·L弗纳(Fernald)在逝世前就获得了此项荣誉。整个一属的植物,因他而被命名为Fernaldia(弗纳氏属)。 但是,他有一个诙谐的同事,却对此属的几个种,给了恶作剧的命名,既可用以形容植物,又可用以形容该植物因而得名的人,实在令人啼笑皆非。例如,有一个种,他命名为F.asperoglottis,意为:“舌头粗糙的”(双关语.另一含义为:“说话粗鲁的”)。还有个种,他命名为:F.brachypharynx,意为:“短颈子的”。假如有适当的种,他很可能还会命名为:F·calvicepes,(“秃 A botanist would be very pleased if he could win a name or a certain species by his name. No matter how genus or genius, his name can always be circulated. Fernand, Harvard, won this honor before his death. The entire genus of plants, named for him by Fernaldia (Fern). However, it is ridiculous that he has a witty colleague, but several species of this genus have given the prank a name that can be used both as a plant and a name for the plant. For example, there is a species, named F.asperoglottis, which means “rough tongue” (pun intended; another meaning: “rudely spoken”). There are a variety, he named: F.brachypharynx, meaning: “short-necked.” If there is an appropriate species, he is likely to be named: F calvicepes ("Bald