INTRODUCTION. 13 



fore, grown from seeds of akin species. See my 

 remarks and facts collected in my new Flora. 



2. Plants vary gradualy, in features, aspect, 

 size, color <fec. by a natural spontaneous devia- 

 tion from seedlings. This may happen quicker 

 in annuals, less quick in perennials, slower still 

 in trees, except when the tendency has already 

 become active. These deviations may grad- 

 ualy form distinct varieties, next Breeds, at 

 last becoming separate Species, when they as- 

 sume a striking difference, and peculiar specific 

 characters of a more permanent nature. The 

 disparities in the descriptions and figures of old 

 and modern botanists amply verify this. 



3. Even perennials may vary slightly in an- 

 nual shoots from the same root, and trees in 

 different branches or annual growth. When 

 a tendency to deviation by monstruosity, hy- 

 bridity or variety is taken by an individual, the 

 seeds produced will unfold them when growing, 

 particularly if removed from the native place 

 into gardens and new soils. 



4. Pelorian Genera, or Generic Deviations 

 in flowers and seeds, happen slower or more 

 seldom ; being often unnoticed, or the produced 

 seed is not always fertile. When it is, the off- 

 spring may become the type of a New or dis- 

 tinct Genus. Many such perish before they 

 reproduce the deviation by fertile seeds; but a 

 few survive and are the types of akin Genera. 



5. The periods of these deviations are doubt- 

 ful, much fluctuating and various in length or 

 existence. But we may assume as an average 

 30 to 100 years for the deviating or spliting 

 range of specific deviation, and 500 to 1000 

 years for the Generic deviation; altho' their 



