438 CHARLES CARDALE BABINGTON. [1891—92 



terminal leaflet nearly entire at the base, panicle somewhat more 

 open and longer, with branches more corymbose, and bearing sunken 

 setae and aciculi, and pale pink petals." I had your Matlock Bath 

 plant in view. It seems to me that the shape of the base of the 

 terminal leaflet is not constant. Probably Gelertii ought to have a 

 cordate based leaflet. Most of my Danish specimens have, but not 

 all. Anglo-saxoniczis seems to have the same part iwt notched. 

 Then there is danicus. I fear that there is a great deal too much 

 splitting here. Then comes the question of the true nulis. I find no 

 specimen in "E. Exsicc. Dan.," but several from Focke according with 

 Bailey's Rengate (?) plant. The true plant seems to have a panicle 

 with ultra-axillary branches markedly patent. On your anglo- 

 saxonicus I presume that they are ascending, often markedly so. I 

 then do not place your Matlock Bath plant to rvdis, and think that 

 it is anglo-saxonicus, but very near also to Gelertii. I find at the end 

 of my notes the remark, " Have we the true E. Gelertii, or the true 

 E. anglo-saxonicus, or both ? This determination, to me a very 

 diflicult question, must be left for future consideration when we 

 know more about the plants. The difficulty is increased when we 

 find Focke naming the Matlock Bath plant, E. rudis, which I think 

 it is not." I fear I have not helped you much, if at all, but I can 

 do no more. The more I get to know, or fancy I know, about 

 Euhi, the harder they seem. What are we to do about grouping 

 them 1 — for all cannot be "species," even in the most lax view of the 

 term. I am not an evolutionist, but believe in much variation 

 amongst plants. I think that Zoology shews us that evolution will 

 not stand. Read Dawson's book if you can, published by Religious 

 Tract Society. — Yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To W. Wilson, Esq., Junr. 



Cambkidge, June 3, 1S91. 



Dear Sir, — I have long delayed answering your letter, owing to 

 circumstances which I need not enter into. I know very little 

 about the distinction of grasses by the foliage alone ; but you seem 

 to be making much out on that subject : although I fear that you 

 are correct in saying that we have no facts to rely upon at present. 

 It would be very useful if we had them. Then comes the question : 

 What effect has climate upon such differences 1 I fear much. You 

 will do well to follow up your own careful observations on this 

 matter, for it is one of much interest. I fear that I can give you 

 no help in it. — Yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To Messrs. H. and J. Groves. 



Brookside, Cambridge, April 7, 1892. 



Dear Messrs. Groves, — I hope that I may obtain a copy of your 

 " British Characeae " for our Herbarium, and so I shall be obliged 

 by your sending it to me here, and I will return the money due. 



