CHARACTERS OF BRITISH PLANTS. 65 
about two-thirds the length of the corolla, but so narrow as 
to look almost like the bracts. The figure of F. Gasparinii 
(Bab.) in the Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. 1, page 36, 
(which represents a Sicilian specimen) might pass for a figure 
ofthis English specimen, which was found by the towing 
path of the Thames near Hampton Court. After plucking a 
branch from the solitary plant found there, I left the rest for 
seed ; but it was unfortunately destroyed a few days after by 
the grazing of some animal. Different as these two species 
are in their extreme states, intermediate forms exist which 
can scarce be referred to either with any certainty ; and if 
F. media (DC.) be taken as a name for those intermediate 
forms, it becomes difficult to distinguish this last from the 
other two species. 
Barbarea precoz (Br.)—In my own specimens, as also in 
the figure of English Botany, the terminal lobe of the lower 
leaves is much broader than the rest. It would hence ap- 
pear that there is an inconstancy or inaccuracy in the charac- 
ter of * lower leaves lyrate: upper pair of lobes as broad as 
the roundish subcordate terminal lobe." (Manual, 20.) 
Viola lactea (Sm.) and V. flavicornis (Sm.)— These are as- 
suredly undistinguishable as species, so gradually do they 
pass into each other. Both are collected in the same localities, 
as Yarmouth Denes and Bottisham Fen. To V. flavicornis I 
refer my Peebles specimen received from Mr. Maughan, who 
is the authority for 7. lactea in that locality, as mentioned in 
the Flora Scotica. It should be observed, however, that the 
name of V. flavicornis is applied differently by English bota- 
nists. Mr. Babington cites this species of Smith under his 
variety “ pusilla,” which he describes with “ leaves roundish- 
cordate rather acute" (Manual, page 34. Smith's own 
words in the English Flora say, *heart-shaped obtuse ;" 
and the specimens in his herbarium correspond with the 
description of the plant in English Flora. The figures in 
English Botany represent only a common dwarf state of V. 
canina, and these have probably misled Mr. Babington. 
Three prineipal forms may be recognized among British spe- 
