on the Genus Junciis of Linnceus. 295 



varieties. The synonyms I have introduced are not numerous; but 

 they have been collated with care, and I trust may be relied on. 



'J'he Linncan genus Jiincua includes a great variety of species. 

 In the third edition of the Species Plantarum, eighteen are de- 

 scribed, besides a great number of varieties. Murray has twenty- 

 two; Gmelin thirty-five; Lamarck, in the Ena/clopedia Mefhodique, 

 thirty-two; Willdenow, forty ; and Rostkov, fifty-two. .Almost all 

 the new ones belong to the true Jiaici; and it is fortunate for 

 science that so numerous a tribe may be so naturally and easily 

 subdivided: 1st, into those with leafless stems, including 

 the original and true Rushes, beginning with Juncus acutus and 

 ending with J. Jiliformis : 2dly, Such as have channelled 

 LEAVES, embracing among the British species the Linnean biiWo- 

 sus, bufonius, trijidus, and uliginosus ; J. squarrosiis belongs to 

 this series, but does not follow any other species with a very close 

 affinity ; J. trifidus connects itself with the kctfliss subdivision by 

 its entire want of leaves in some situations, and in some degree 

 with the huzulce by its fimbriated scales: it is nearly allied to 

 uligino&us, with which it is linked by the supinits of Hoffman 

 and Don's Herbarium Britajinicum : 3dly, Those with jointed 

 LEAVES succeed, a most distinct and natural family, connected 

 with the last subdivision by J.triglumis and biglumis, which have 

 cellular-knotted leaves, and ending in the new species, which 

 were included by Linnreus in his articulatm. This series, in order 

 to connect it with the former, begins with those which are least 

 complete in the joints of the leaves, and ends with such as have 

 the most distinct and perfect articulations. It would seem, in- 

 deed, as if the channelled leaves of this genus were imperfect 

 articulate leaves. 



It is necessary to add a word or two in explanation of some 

 terms I have used in my descriptions differently from some other 



botanists. 



