2i2 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



shown above would have designated these two species as ' hybrid ' or 

 ' garden products.' 



It is true, of course, that similar finality of evidence with regard 

 to 0. Lamarckiana has not yet been obtained, but it does not seem 

 4 unlikely ' that it may come to hand when we are able to organize a 

 search for it as well-directed as for the species named. Collectors are 

 few in the region to be covered, and it might be many years before it 

 could be traced to its habitat, even if it occupied a large area. To 

 those interested in suppositions, however, the following from Miller 

 C Figures of the Most Useful and Uncommon Plants described in the 

 Gardener's Dictionary exhibited on Three Hundred Copper Plates 

 Accurately Engraven after Drawings taken from Xature,' Vol. II., 

 1760) will suggest the need of caution in the matter. He says regard- 

 ing the " Tree Primrose with oval spear-shaped indented Leaves, and 

 Flowers proceeding from the Wings of the Leaves on the Upper Part 

 of the Stalk " : 



This plant is also a Native of North America; but "was the first species 

 of the Genus which was brought to Europe, so is more commonly seen in the 

 Gardens than any of the other species. In some Parts of Europe, this is spread 

 about from the Gardens in such Plenty, that it might be supposed a Native 

 there. In a small Wood near Eaerlem in Holland this Plant covered the 

 Ground insomuch that many skilful Persons supposed it was a Native of that 

 Place. But it may be easily accounted for; because the Gardeners who live 

 near that Place, are chiefly Florists, and they annually change the Earth of the 

 Beds in their Gardens; so by carrying out of their old Earth from their Beds, 

 in which many of the Seeds were scattered the Plants came up there; and 

 those being suffered to scatter their Seeds, had filled the whole Wood with the 

 Plants. 



This differs from the first Sort, (described and figured as 0. biennis) in 

 having broader Leaves; the Stalks grow taller, and the Flowers are much 

 larger. Both these Sorts will thrive in the Smoak of London better than most 

 Plants. 



The appended descriptions and the plate (Xo. 189, dated 1757) 

 very fittingly characterize 0. biennis and 0. Lamarckiana, and as the 

 descriptions were made before 0. grandiflora, the only known species 

 which might be confused with 0. Lamarckiana, was discovered, this 

 evidence is serious enough to give one pause in ascribing a hybrid 

 origin to the last-named. Meanwhile the mutation-theory, based on 

 the conception of unit-characters, will neither stand nor fall by sup- 

 positions or proof as to the ancestry of 0. Lamarckiana. If this plant 

 and all of its derivatives were obliterated from our records, the facts 

 in our possession well warrant current conclusions as to unit-char- 

 acters and their appearance and disappearance in hereditary strains 

 in saltatory fashion. 



A certain literary freedom of expression is well illustrated by the 

 following citation from a recent article by Dr. Jordan in this maga- 

 zine, in which he sa)^s: 



