called by Linnaus Cornucopia alopecuroides. 247 
to which Linnaeus says it is so very like, they proved decidedly 
distinct. On turning to the herbarium while full of the idea of 
Phalaris utriculata, or rather, as it must now be called, Alopecuru.s 
utriculatus, I perceived at once that this wonderful Cornucopia 
was no other than a singular variety of that species, characte- 
rized by the cup or ruffle which unfolds the base of the spike. 
With great satisfaction I perceived rudiments of this ruffle on the 
grass in its ordinary state, though they had escaped the observa- 
tion of the accurate Scopoli (Delicia Insubrka, v. 1. t. 12.) and 
the more exact Baver ; and further observed that it does not in 
any instance run down into a sheath, as Professor Arduino's spe- 
cimen would, at first sight, induce one to suppose; but that the 
stem is, in his specimen, much thicker than usual, probably from 
the same cause of monstrosity which produced the dilated ruffle. 
Indeed in the true Cornucopia the notched cup does not form one 
common cavity with its horn-like support, the latter being truly 
a flower-stalk, swelling upwards, hollow within, but closed at the 
top, where it bears the head of flowers and the notched in vol u- 
crum. Hence it appears how closely Cornucopia and Alopecurus 
are really allied ; and it may afford amusement as well as instruc- 
tion to the speculative systematic botanist to consider, how far, 
in this or any other instance, the existence of some strange pecu- 
liarity in the parts of fructification themselves, which this of the 
Cornucopia is not, should lead him to form distinct genera, when 
general structure and habit do not authorize his proceedings. On 
the other hand, when other differences, too slight either sepa- 
rately or collectively to form a character themselves, show a real 
distinction, we may reasonably expect, and should readily seize, 
some technical character, by which we may define and stamp the 
newly discovered genus. 
Norwich, XIV. Description 
October 31, 1803. 
