Dr. Tully on Datura. 957 
cies of Trillium, Erythronium, Statice, Actea and of a vast 
number of other genera, has long been a fruitful source of 
discrepancy among botanical ala and a multitude of 
instances may be specified, in which plants for a long time, 
not even considered as distinct varieties, have ultimately been 
found to be different species, as for instance, Veratrum-album 
and viride. Berberis-vulgaris and Canadensis, etc. etc, 
Although I have never seen any other species of the ge- 
nus Datura, yet judging from the descriptions given by au- 
thors, | am inclined to think that there is much of this close 
similarity and affinity, between several of them, and al- 
though it was mot my intention to raise any question at this 
time, except respecting the two American plants, yet I can- 
not. forbear remarking in this place, that if the best repre- 
sentations of the European Stramoniwn are correct, there is 
some ground for suspecting at least, that the Straronium of 
that region, is specifically distinct from either of the sorts 
found in America. I have formerly compared our plants 
’s plate, and [ now very well recollect the 
conclusion, without being able to specify the precise rea- 
sons. At present I have only a wood cut of Bewick before 
me, which appears at least, to be very well executed, and 
which to the best of my recollection, corresponds to the 
engraving of Woodville. In this, the shortness and infla- 
tion of the perianth, the companulate rather than the infun- 
dibuliform corol, the round-oval form of the anthers, and 
can specimen at ohedeslad; or even approximate to thaws, 
be diligently compared in their living state. If they are 
distinct, it is most probable, that more definite peculiarities 
may be found, but even if there should not be, still, provid- 
ed these should prove uniform, invariable, and permanent, 
it might possibly warrant considering them distinct. I am 
no advocate for the hasty and careless cee cats of spe- 
cies, and till decisive and distinct marks can be found, those 
which are closely allied, should by all means be catisidenl 
as varieties. Inthe present state of my information, howev- 
er, I cannot but view the two American sorts of Datura as 
specifically distinct, and I believe this has long been the de- 
ne opinion of Professor ‘ans ‘eel and some 
; No. 
