64 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



the g^reatest difficulty in arrangingr our cultivated varieties under them. 



With strawberries the same difficulty occurs in an attempt at classifi- 

 cation, if we except the very distinct species of Fragaria vcsca (?) and 

 JF". elatior. 



In the apple there are not so many species, but innumerable varieties 

 are in cultivation, all of which are referred to Pyrus jnalus and pruni- 

 folia^ or to P. baccata, coronaria and rivularis : the latter, being American, 

 are not prone to variation, can hardly be said to ha^•e yielded us any 

 cultivated or improved fruits, although the Soulard crab be found in our 

 western catalogues. This last, however, is one of the rare instances of 

 variation of the species coronaria that is marked by improvement in 

 size. Though it is considered by some to be an accidental hybrid with 

 die P. niahis^ I can not so consider it; after having carefully examined 

 its growth, foliage, and fruit, it seems to be a veritable and full-blooded 

 coronaria. 



After carefully examining all these possible causes to account for the 

 curious variations which we may observe among our plants, we feel 

 forced to admit our ignorance of the whole matter, and we are driven to 

 the unsatisfactory conclusion that they must arise from an inherent 

 faculty of the plants, which exists in them independently of any human 

 influence in changing the conditions by which they are surrounded, 

 whether as to soil, or climate, or other treatment and circumstances. 



Certain it is that the close observer of nature will find these variations 

 in nature, where, at least, there would appear to be no possibility of 

 human interference. These freaks are of little or no consequence to us 

 in the plants and animals of the wild prairie and forest, hence they are 

 passed unseen and unnoted by most men, but in the domesticated plants 

 and animals immediately under our care and protection, such changes 

 are at once observed, and the changes are carefully noted, to ascertain 

 whether they may aflect our interests or fancies, and then they are either 

 encouraged or counteracted, by careful selection, that man may increase 

 and fix the new characters, or endeavor to obliterate them. This is 

 exactly what is done by our judicious breeders and cultivators; and in 

 this sense we may say that these variations are due to culture and selec- 

 tion. 



It is a fact of no little interest to remark, that this tendency to vary 

 from the normal type is much more frequently observed in some families, 

 groups, and species, than in others; and thus, in seeking to pi'oduce any 

 especial results of an abnormal character, it will be well to select those 

 which may be found to be of the most impressive characters. 



Therefore, in conclusion, it may be assumed, that with a view to the 

 improvement of our fruits, we may, in most cases, confidently expect 

 that among seedlings from cultivated plants, in which a series of varia- 

 tions has been already observed to exist, a certain proportion will continue 

 to give evidence of departing still further from the type ; whether this 

 be in the desired direction or otherwise, it may be difficult to predict. 



Acting upon this principle, we should be induced to operate upon an 

 entirely difi'erent plan from that which was recommended by Van Mons, 



