72 PHLOX SUBULATA. MOSS-PINK. 



In olden times, when these points were not understood as they are 

 now, this short-styled character was thought sufficient to build 

 another species on; and hence Nuttall made one as P. Hentzii^ 

 in which this was the chief distinction. It shows how sfreat has 

 been the progress of botany even since Nuttall's time, when we 

 see that what are now known to be little more than sexual differ- 

 ences, were then taken to be essential, specific characters. It is 

 this peculiar variation in the length of the pistil that has been 

 noticed by Mr. Darwin. Generally, he found the pollen grains 

 different in size in heterostyled plants; but in this species he 

 found no difference, or, rather, both large and small grains are 

 found on each form, and this he regards as very remarkable. 

 He concludes his notice of this jDhenomenon by suggesting 

 that " possibly this species was once heterostyled, but is now 

 becoming sub-dioecious, the short-styled plants having been 

 rendered more feminine in nature. This would account for the 

 ovaries having more ovules (two instead of one), and for the 

 variable condition of their pollen grains. Whether the long- 

 styled plants are now changing their nature, as would appear to 

 be the case from the variability of their pollen grains, and are 

 becoming more masculine, I will not pretend to conjecture." 

 Still, the bare suggestion will have an interest to those who are 

 studying what are known as the facts of evolution. Mr. Darwin 

 has evidently a deeper interest in our little plant, in this con- 

 nection, than his expression, " I will not pretend to conjecture," 

 implies ; for in another part of his work, he says, " Certain 

 appearances countenance the belief that the reproductive sys- 

 tem of Phlox subulata is undergoing a change of some kind." 

 The extracts show with what interest our Moss-Pink is being 

 regarded in science. 



To the florist the Moss-Pink offers some attractions. It 

 is not only of easy culture, but is extremely variable in nature, 

 both in color and form. We give some variations on our plate ; 

 but there are changes in form as well as in color. 



