364 Dr. T. Bell Salter on some forms o/Rubiis. 



their degree of expansion ; also the form and surface of the seed, 

 and that of the form of the fruit. This latter has, I am aware, 

 been employed in the descriptions of many ; but in this genus, as 

 in Rosa, it is desirable to describe the primordial fmit, it having 

 been pointed out to me by Mr. Thomas Meehan, that the form 

 of it is far more characteristic, and frequently differs very consi- 

 derably from the other fruit. 



The date and duration of the flowering period aiFord somewhat 

 characteristic distinctions ; some species flowering much earlier 

 and some much later than others ; some also passing very quickly 

 out of flower, while others continue in bloom during nearly the 

 whole fruiting season, or till actually cut off by the early frosts. 



With respect to the value of the characters depending on the 

 calyx, it may not be out of order to mention in this place, that 

 though in general constant as to form and vestiture, there is one 

 particular in which it is by no means so, and that is in the foli- 

 aceous point, in the species in which this appendage exists. When 

 this is found in any species, as in the genus Rosa, so also in 

 Ruhus, it is extremely variable in degree, sometimes being little 

 more than rudimentary, while at others it is developed extremely. 

 This remark applies to some of the forms we shall presently have 

 to notice. 



The leaves, though often presenting a form highly character- 

 istic in certain species, are yet unfortunately by no means con- 

 stant, and this both as respects the number of the leaflets and the 

 form of the latter. With respect to form, there are two kinds of 

 change to which they are peculiarly liable ; changes which I have 

 seen in so many species, that I can believe that «//may be subject 

 to them. And they are, moreover, such complete removes from 

 what may be considered the normal form of the leaflets, that 

 several supposed species have been built on these characters. The 

 one of these alterations is that of being laciniated. This some- 

 times takes place to a very considerable degree, so as almost 

 completely to mask the species. The other alteration is one I 

 have been in the habit of calling the abrupt form of leaf : it con- 

 sists in the leaflets, the terminal one more particularly, being 

 abruptly contracted below the point, or nearly truncated with a 

 slender acuminated point. This latter variation has led to the 

 naming of several mere varieties as species. 



Having premised these general observations, I would proceed 

 to notice several forms, some of which are now described for the 

 first time, others as British for the first time ; and notices of others 

 are introduced for the sake of expressing what appears to have 

 been misunderstood respecting them, and to refer them to their 

 true position either as species or as varieties only. The majority 

 of the forms, eighteen in number, are of the value of varieties 



