called bi/ Linnaus Cornucopia alopccuroidcs. 247 



to which Linnaeus says it is so very like, they proved decidedly 

 distinct. On turning to the herbarium while full of the idea of 

 Phalaris utriculata, or rather, as it must now be called, Alopecurus 

 utriculatus, I perceived at once that this wonderful Cornucopia: 

 was no other than a singular variety of that species, characte- 

 rized by the cup or ruffle which unfolds the base of the spike. 

 ~\\ ilh great satisfaction I perceived rudiments of this ruffle on the 

 grass in its ordinary state, though they had escaped the observa- 

 tion of the accurate Scopoli (Delicia Insubrica, v. 1. /. 12.) and 

 the more exact Bavcr; and further observed that it docs not in 

 any instance run down into a sheath, as Professor Arduino's spe- 

 cimen Avould, at first sight, induce one to suppose; but that the 

 stem is, in his specimen, much thicker than usual, probably from 

 the same cause of monstrosity which produced the dilated ruffle. 

 Indeed in the true Cornucopia the notched cup does not form one 

 common cavity with its horn-like support, the latter being truly 

 a flower-stalk, swelling upwards, hollow within, but closed at the 

 top, where it bears the head of flowers and the notched involu- 

 crum. Hence it appears how closely Cornucopia and Alopccurus 

 are really allied ; and it may afford amusement as well as instruc- 

 tion to the speculative systematic botanist to consider, how fai 4 , 

 in this or any other instance, the existence of some strange pecu- 

 liarity in the parts of fructification themselves, which this of the 

 Cornucopia is not, should lead him to form distinct genera, when 

 general structure and habit do not authorize his proceedings. On 

 the other hand, when other differences, too slight either sepa- 

 rately or collectively to form a character themselves, show a real 

 distinction, Ave may reasonably expect, and should readily seize, 

 some technical character, by which we may define and stamp the 

 newly discovered genus. 



Norwich, XIV. Description 



October 31, 1803. 



