PHYTOLOGY. 



THE BOTANICAL WOEX OP GEQEGE DON OP POEFAE. 



By G. C. DRUCE, F.L.S. 



( Continued from page 1 78. ) 



" Stellaria scapigera seems to have been found by Don by the sides 

 of rivulets between Dalwhinnie Inn and the old Kirk of Lagsian, 

 Perth, and by Loch Nevis, Inverness. Is apparently a monstrosity 

 of S. graminea, and probably from Don's garden, some plant he 

 met with being mistaken for the same as the one he had in culti- 

 vation." Boswe.ll E. Bot. It is figured in Eng. Flora, vol. xviii., 

 1269, and the following details given. "Mr. G. Don obligingly 

 communicates wild specimens of this new and curious Stellaria. 

 He gathered it at different times from the year 1794 to 1803 on 

 the sides of rivulets in Perth and about Loch Nevis. The plant 

 was received by the younger Linnaeus from Kew Garden, but its 

 native country was altogether unknown till Air. Don's fortunate 

 discovery." Sm, Eng. Flora. 



" Prov. 15-16. Perth, Inverness. G.Don in Eng. Fl. Ambiguity," 

 Cyb. 1 '225. According to Boswell Syme, this is apparently a 

 monstrosity of S. graminea ; whereas Prof. Babington can scarcely 

 believe this is a state of S. graminea. Prof. Arnott says its seeds 

 produce S. graminea.' 1 '' Comp. Cyb. Br., 492. 



In Don's fasciculus, No. 10, is a specimen of S. scapigera, 

 localised: "sides of rivulets on the mountains of Badenoch be- 

 tween Loch Ereachd (Ericht) and Loch Laggan, and by the 

 side of a rivulet on a mountain to the eastward of Loch Nevis, 

 Inverness." 



Does the fact of Don having this plant in his garden prove he 

 never found it wild ? Is there not an equal probability of his first 

 finding it wild as he stated, and then introducing it to his garden? 

 If the plant be a monstrosity of S. graminea, it must originally 

 come from somewhere (it is not suggested it is^ a mere garden 

 sport), and why not as likely be found in Scotland as in Germany? 



