The change of the c into b may possibly have been made only from some euphonic fancy of the contriver of the name, who, I think, was Rich.
But I somewhat incline myself to think that the tibia, a pipe or flute, may have had something to do with it. The tibia may possibly have been diminished into a little pipe by a stretch of licence, and have become tibula: [but tibulus is a kind of pine tree in Pliny]; when Len tibula would be the lens or lentil-shaped pipe or bladder. I give you this only for what it is worth. The lenticula, as a derivation, is reliable and has authority.
Lenticula, a lentil, a freckly eruption; lenticularis, lentil-shaped; so the nat. ord. ought to be (if this be right) lenticulariaceæ.
(2) BOTANIC GARDENS, CHELSEA, Feb. 14, 1882.
Lentibularia is an old generic name of Tournefort's, which has been superseded by utricularia, but, oddly enough, has been retained in the name of the order lentibulareæ; but it probably comes from lenticula, which signifies the little root bladders, somewhat resembling lentils.
(3) 'Manual of Scientific Terms,' Stormonth, p. 234.
Lentibulariaceæ, neuter, plural.
(Lenticula, the shape of a lentil; from lens, a lentil.) The Butterwort family, an order of plants so named from the lenticular shape of the air-bladders on the branches of utricularia, one of the genera. (But observe that the Butterworts have nothing of the sort, any of them.—R.)
Loudon.—"Floaters."
Lindley.—"Sometimes with whorled vesicles."
In Nuttall's Standard (?) Pronouncing Dictionary, it is given,—
Lenticulareæ, a nat. ord. of marsh plants, which thrive in water or marshes.
[15] More accurately, shows the pruned roots of branches,—επειδη προτα τομην εν ‛ορεσσι λελοτπεν. The pruning is the mythic expression of the subduing of passion by rectorial law.