Abstract: figure and letter symbols in place of orthodox nomenclature, at least within the species, are suggestive.Training in taxonomy is now receiving more serious attention.The best approach is to teach the student to teach himself the practice of taxonomy, and to guide him to an understanding of the fundamental principles of classification.This double approach must be unified : principles become dogmas unless constantly applied to, and tested by, facts ; merely to collect facts is to make bricks without building.Teaching in systematics must be mainly • by practice, and the newer methods and outlooks considered in this address should be given prominence.The potentialities of plant taxonomy are very great.Without classification no research is possible.Systematics is linked with all other branches of biology.Taxonomists desire to make their classifications more and more useful to all biologists.They work to serve and ask only for such recognition as they fairly deserve.