THE SPECIES OF HEDYCHIUM. 323 
several varieties among the exquisite sketches of Hedychium, made by 
him on the spot. Few species only admit of being somewhat rigor- 
ously defined; the rest slide suddenly, or by gradations, into each 
other, so as to elude all endeavours to fix them with any sort of bota- 
nical precision. The fact is that, like other very natural groups, ours 
point-blank refuses to disclose the exact limitations of its members, 
and leaves the systematizing botanist to grope his way through the 
maze as best he may. Probably there exist in reality but a very 
limited number of distinct species; the problem to be solved being: 
which are those species? Botanically speaking, the genus may be 
called poor, —such, at least, I believe it will be pronounced hereafter ; 
although to the horticulturist and florist it is exceedingly rich, abound- 
ing in transient forms, shades, and varieties. In the meantime I have 
followed. the beaten track, leaving the subject to be taken up by abler 
hands than mine, who may have favourable opportunities for studying it. 
I attribute the cause of the great variableness alluded to, to the facili- 
ties of multiplication by the rhizomas or roots, and of propagation by 
the ordinary means of seeds, which the plants produce not unsparingly ; 
and also perhaps to the natural intermixture of varieties of the same 
Species. "Thus far only can I admit of any cross-breeding (if indeed it 
can be so called,) taking place in that part of the globe, where most 
of my years have been spent. Amidst the natural facilities—I had 
almost said inducements— which the amazing luxuriance of an Indian 
vegetation frequently offers for the production of mule breeds, scores of 
genera crowding their species together into a narrow area of only a 
few square yards, their pollen transported by winds, animals, and other 
means, among the hundreds of vegetable occupants: never have I seen 
a single instance of a hybrid plant. For the validity of this assertion 
I appeal, without hesitation, to my brother labourers in the field of 
Indian botany. There, at least, nature repudiates diversifying her 
creation by means, which would violate the sanctity of the process of 
fecundation. I can imagine that two plants, specifically different sensu 
botanico, may mix together and produce a third, similarly constituted 
species; but in that case I should very strongly suspect, that all three 
formed in reality only one truly natural species. Indeed, the appear- 
ance of such a mule-like plant would argue to me, that there was lurk- 
ing a false species somewhere or other in the genus. I crave forgive- 
ness for this little digression; it is made with hearty and profound 
