264 The Irish Naturalist > [Oct., 1897. 



howbeit, by a process of excessive nicety of refinement, 

 perhaps more to be disparaged than approved, at least two 

 varieties of each species have been more or less fancifully 

 described ; and some continental botanists, taking still higher 

 flights of fancy, have evolved no fewer than four species. ^ 

 The variety insiibricuvt seems delusive, but if it must be taken 

 into account its proper place would appear to be under G. 

 erectum rather than under G. Molluoo. Seeing that Mr. 

 Colgan had not before him any specimens of our northern 

 plant, his remarks did not go beyond what was warranted by 

 a reasonable, scientific scepticism ; but in face of the expression 

 of doubt, by so careful a botanist, as to our plant being (r. 

 eredtim, and notwithstanding Mr. Stewart's strong conviction 

 of our being right, it was considered better to delay the 

 publication of my notes. The postponement is not to be 

 regretted, because in the interval there has been opportunity, 

 not only for extended observation of the growing plant, but 

 to gather together examples from all the localities of the 

 district, with the exception of Templeton's old station near 

 Belfast, and those at "Riverside near Cullybackey" and 

 Ballymena. On the banks of the Main River at Cullybackey 

 (where there is abundance of G. boreale\ search has been made 

 in vain by Miss Knowles and by myself for G. Molhigo, which 

 is said to be there; and, unfortunately. Rev. S. A. Brenan, 

 who is the authorit}^ for the record of the plant at that place, 

 has not any specimens. It may possibly yet be found, though 

 the situation is not one in which it is very likely to occur. In 

 a field not very far away from the place, an interesting form 

 has this year been noticed by Miss Knowles and Rev. Dr. 

 Buick, and through their kindness I have had the pleasure of 

 collecting it there. A Galium, supposed to be G. Molhigo, 

 discovered by Miss Knowles between Ballymena and Brough- 

 shane, cannot this year be found, but the situation, as I have 

 had the opportunity of seeing, is one in which it might verj^ 

 likely have been eaten by cattle, as has been the case in other 

 places, and it will probably reappear. The plants, therefore, 



* G. dumdortirn, Jordan. G. albu7n, Lamarck. 



G. viridiihini, Jordau. G. rigidum, Villars. 



