88 



The main facts in the case seem to be these : The plant has much 

 the aspect of Lechea sUicta, and is hence frankly distinguished in 

 appearance from Lechea mtennedia ; nevertheless, though closely 

 allied to the former it is not that species, but is a more or less 

 immediate derivative of the latter, as is shown by the occurrence 

 of forms not satisfactorily referable to either plant. 



Technically, therefore, on the evidence, the plant is a variety 

 of intermedia— din incompletely detached derivative of that species. 

 Actually it has reached a degree of differentiation which, measured 

 by the slight differences separating species in this group of plants, 

 is certainly remarkable, and may fairly be taken as of species value 

 despite the apparently intergrading forms. Indeed, so distinct 

 from intermedia does the typical plant appear that it may well be 

 questioned whether intergradation between the two is not, after 

 all, more apparent than real. When we recall instances of per- 

 fectly distinct species exhibiting an apparent identity up to the 

 time of full maturity of flower or fruit we find ourselves less ready 

 to assign doubtful specimens to the category of intergrades. It 

 may be readily conceived that between certain individuals of nearly 

 related plants an inherent distinctness may be completely disguised 

 to the eye as a result of retarded development or other cause. Be 

 this as it may, I am sufficiently satisfied of the expediency of 

 recognizing as a species the Lechea here discussed. To refer 

 it to either of its near allies would be to evade a difficulty 

 through a makeshift, and as for varietal rank the grade variety 

 has been misused out of all definite meaning. Species are neces- 

 sarily of different values. Closely similar but trenchantly distinct 

 plants range side by side with species far more divergent from 

 each other, yet inter-related through medial forms. The relega- 

 tion of such well-characterized plants to the vague rank of variety 

 surely involves a disregard of the facts of nature not to be excused 

 by an appeal to the supposed requirements of a system of nomen- 

 clature necessarily more or less artificial. 



For the new plant I propose the name Lechea juniperina in 

 allusion to the appearance of its densly leafy narrow panicle, 

 which is often suggestive of a spiry red ccdd^r {Jnniperus Vir- 

 gifiiana) in miniature. 



