In article <1992Mar13.193450.22148 at doc.ic.ac.uk> ajt at doc.ic.ac.uk (Tony Travis) writes:
>: [...stuff deleted]
>>The definition of 'botany' is: "the scientific study of plants" which
>I think is general enough to please everyone. I'm happy to accept a
>majority vote on it though ...
>> Tony
I agree, "botany" is a perfectly good word; using it leaves no room
for the kinds of misunderstandings that a couple people have mentioned
in reference to "plants". I know it's a small point, but the previous
discussion suggesting that "botany" somehow has come to evoke images
of octogenarians with hand lenses and wildflower books makes me squirm.
I'm a mycologist who specializes in plant parasitic fungi, but when a
non-biologist like my Aunt Grace or the man who repairs my car wants
a one-word description of my vocation, "botanist" is just right.
Karen Snetselaar
Department of Plant Pathology
