Local Variations and Other Notes on Blue-Eyed Grass 

 (Sisyrinchiiim angustifolium). — By J. H. Barbour, 

 M. B., Capt. R. a. M. C, Halifax. 



(Read 11th January. 190/, ) 



The following few notes on the above plant may be new to 

 those interested in the flora of Nova Scotia and especially to 

 those who have examined all our local species, I think that 

 we should collect as much material as we can on variations, and 

 particularly local variations, in order to see how far they arise 

 and to what they point in the great scheme of adaptation to 

 environment and the ultimate question of ascending or descend- 

 ing evolution. 



So far, I know very little practically about Nova Scotian 

 plants, as I have only had the past season in the country, but I 

 did attempt to make a small collection, and while doing so 

 was struck by the variation I saw in the flower referred to. So I 

 made more extended observations on this species, which I think is 

 one of your commonest flowers, just as conmion as the primsose 

 (Primitla vulgaris) is in England, on which for several years I 

 made numerous observations on variation, the result of which 

 I published in the form of notes each year. 



Before proceeding further, let me give you a botanical 

 description of the flower, which I dare say you know already, 

 and then I will point out the variation observed in some one 

 thousand specimens gathered this summer. 



Nat. Ord., Iridaceaj. Perianth segments 6, blue, obovate, 

 notched at the end and bristle-pointed from the notches. 

 Stamen monodelphous. Stigmas thread-like, stem two-edged, 

 leaves grass-like, plant slender, roots tibrous. 



(190) 



