CHAP. XVI THE BRITISH ISLES 363 



68. Carex precox (Jacq.), var. capitata (Ar. Benn. ). Ireland. "A 



remarkable plant (monstrosity?) simulating C. caintata (L.)." (Ar. 

 Bennett. ) 



69. *Carex Grahami (Boott). " A mountain form of C. vcsicaricf,." (J. 



D. H.) 



70. *Spartina Townsendi (Groves). Hampshire. " A distinct but very 



local form of *S'. stricta, found in one place only." (J. D. H.) 



71. Agrostis nigra (With.). 



72. Deschampsia flexuosa (Trin.), var. Voirlichensis ( J. C. Melvill). Perth. 



73. *Deyeuxia neglecta (Kunth), var. Hookeri (Syme). Ireland. "A 



distinct variety confined to Lough Neagh." (J. D. H. ) 



74. Glyceria maritima (Willd. ), var. riparia (Towns. ). Hampshire. 



75. Poa Balfouri'(Bab. ). Scotland. " An alpine sub-variety of a variety 



of the protean P. nemoralis." (J. D. H. ) 



In his comments on this extensive list of supposed 

 peculiar British jilants, Sir Josej^h Hooker arrives at the 

 following conclusions : — 



1. There are four unquestionably distinct species which do not occur in 

 continental Europe : viz. — 



One absolutely endemic species, Potamogeton lanceolatus. 



Three American species, Sisyiunchium angustifolium, Spiranthes 



ROMANZOVIANA, ErIOCA-ULON SEPTAXGrLARE. 



2. There are sixteen endemic varieties of British species, viz. — 

 Eleven of more or less variable species, Caltha palustris, var. radicans ; 



Polygala vulgaris, var. grandiflora ; Cerastium arcticum, var. edmons- 

 TONii ; Trifolium repens, var. Townsendii ; Rosa involuta, var. wilsoni ; 

 Rulnis fruticosus, sitb-sp. longithyrsiger ; Campanula rotundifolia, var. 

 8PECI0.SA ; Erythrffia centaurium, suh-sp. latifolia ; Carex involuta, 

 (?Hyb. ); Carex vesicaria, var. Grahami ; Deyeuxia neglecta, var. 

 Hookeri, 



Five of comparatively well limited species. Arabis peti-fea, var. grandi- 

 FOLIA ; Helianthemum guttatum, var. Breweri ; Geranium sangiuneum, 

 var. Lancastriexse ; .ffinanthe Phellandrium, var. fluviatilis ; 

 Spartium stricta, var. Townsendi. 



The above twenty species are marked in the list with 

 an asterisk. Of the remaining fifty-five, Sir Joseph 

 Hooker says, " that for various reasons it would not be 

 safe to rely on them as evidence. In most cases the 

 varietal form is so very trifling a departure from the type 

 that this may be safely set down to a local cause, and is 

 probably not constant. In others the plant is doubtfully 

 endemic ; in still others a hybrid." 



Even should it ultimately prove that of the whole 

 number of the fifty-five doubtful forms none are established 

 as peculiar British varieties, the number admitted after so 



