362 Dr. T. Bell Salter on some forms o/Rubus. 



almost endless variety. Where such can be distinctly proved to 

 be the case, we consider that all these forms must be received as 

 constituting one species, and the former so-called species be con- 

 sidered as varieties merely, with their former names as convenient 

 synonyms. True, there will yet be the parallel difficulty, that all 

 of the forms cannot always be referred to one of these named 

 varieties, without presenting some characters which would rather 

 indicate them as belonging to another ; in other words, there will 

 yet be intermediate forms ; but we hold that while these interme- 

 diates in varieties prove the species, intermediates in species are 

 the very opprobrium of classification. 



We cannot leave this point without adding, that we wish to 

 make no reflection on the work of those who may, and we think 

 have, thus too much divided ; their labours have done too much 

 to assist their followers to admit of this ; and we would add, while 

 we agree with those who believe that there yet remain many, 

 separated as species which should be united, that it is only the 

 part of sound philosophy, where distinctions have been made, to 

 receive them as they stand, until by further observation we can 

 satisfactorily prove them to be erroneous. 



Independently of, and quite different from, on the one hand the 

 gradual development and growth, and the final assumption of the 

 adult form in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms ; and on 

 the other hand equally distinct from the changes of form known 

 as metamorphoses in some tribes of the former, is a certain other 

 development consisting of successions of arrested minor deve- 

 lopments, some of which though not final, inasmuch as they are 

 in some sort mature or even adult, may occasion and have occa- 

 sioned difficulties in the distinguishing of species. This fact, as 

 referring in the animal kingdom to some tribes of birds, is suffi- 

 ciently familiar. An analogous case is afforded in the Polypo- 

 diacecE, many species of which, in addition to the few successions 

 of early fronds which mature and perish, each succeeding one de- 

 veloping itself to a greater degree than its predecessor, produce 

 some so far adult as to fructify and appear in every respect per- 

 fect plants, before the existence of that form which is more pro- 

 perly the adult and permanent form of the plant, — a fact which 

 has in that natural family been the cause of some confusion*. 



The above remarks are introduced in this place to illustrate 

 what appears to be the course of development in the Rubi. The 

 surculi from young roots, like fronds from young rhizomata, have 

 very little the appearance of those of the same species which are 

 truly adult; indeed so little, that, as in them, the species cannot 

 with certainty be determined. The analogy holds further ; for 



* Newman's British Ferns, p. 208. Phytologist, ii. p. 194, 



