MANUAL OF BRITISH BOTANY. 41 



are Polygala austriaca, found in Yorkshire ; Hypericum anglicum, a de- 

 tachment from H. androsasmum ; Epilobium anagallidifolium ; Galium mon- 

 tanum, G. commutatum, and G. elongatum ; Salix acutifolia ; Orchis 

 incarnata, separated from 0. latifolia ; Epipogium aphyllum, perhaps the 

 most remarkable addition to our Flora recently discovered ; Arum itali- 

 cum, found in the Isle of Wight ; and the following Filicoids and Ferns: — 

 Equisetum Moorei, " probably not distinct from E. trachyodon ;" Asple- 

 nium acutum (a form of A. adiantum-nigrum) ; Pseudatkyrium alpestre, 

 and P. flexile, the latter M a doubtful species ;" Gymnogramma lepto- 

 phylla ; Botrychium rutaceum, and Ophioglossum lusitanicurn. 



The new distribution of the difficult genus, Hieracium, demands special 

 notice. In treating of this group the author expresses himself to be 

 under great obligations to the researches of Mr. James Backhouse, 

 jun., who has carefully collected and published most of the British 

 forms. In looking over the list now given, we find that no less 

 than eight of the names admitted into the third edition are omitted, 

 but, as a compensation for this, fourteen new names are introduced — 

 leaving a balance of six in favour of the extension of our Flora. Most of 

 the novelties appear under names given by Mr. Backhouse, and are, there- 

 fore, regarded by the author not merely as additions to the British list, but 

 as absolutely new Species. And these fourteen novelties have been disco- 

 vered on ground which, for the last fifty years, has been more traversed 

 by botanists than almost any other district in Britain. We are not pre- 

 pared to criticise the characters attributed to all these supposed new spe- 

 cies ; but the fact of so many new species having all occurred to a single 

 young and ardent observer, in a field so well beaten as that of the English 

 and Scotch Highlands, does not inspire much confidence in their perma- 

 nence. Every one familiar with Hieracia knows that the Alpine kinds 

 especially are subject to infinite variation ; and we suspect that it will be 

 more easy for future explorers of the Highlands to discover a dozen other 

 equally distinct types, than to refer, with certainty, the forms that may 

 occur in their rambles, to those now attempted to be defined by Mr. Back- 

 house. We shall have a repetition of the story of Rubus fruticosus and 

 Solanum tuberosum. And, supposing the other genera of Composite to 

 advance at the same rate, we may soon expect a galaxy of new Dandelions 

 and Cat's-ears. Surely, the varieties of Leontodon taraxacum, Apargia 

 autumnalis, Hypochceris radicata, ' and other common plants, are as de- 

 serving of special description and name as some of the forms now sepa- 

 rated from Hieracium alpinum and its allies. Most of our common field 



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