Germination and Growth of Species of Salvia. 375 



the species of Salvia have been grown. But we might 

 observe that of the five species with most distinctly hairy 

 leaves, three were the last to germinate ; also they germinated 

 at a time when an altered temperature and position tended 

 to keep the pots in which the seeds were sown in a drier 

 position. 



Perhaps there is nothing more in our first statement than 

 is indicated by the common remark of the gardener — that 

 such and such a species is one that " grows freely," or that 

 is " coarsely growing." But what may rightly be described as 

 " coarsely growing " wherever placed in an English garden 

 might not be likely to prove so everywhere on the Eiviera. 

 In such a case we need more exact determination as to 

 what are the requirements best suited to one kind of plant 

 or the other. Comparison of plants requiring the same 

 conditions will surely lead us to associate features such as 

 those we have instanced — glabrous leaves or hairiness, with 

 habitat and with the requirements of the plant for successful 

 germination or growth. 



It is of interest to make some slight comparison between 

 the resemblances which, so far, we have detected among the 

 various species here considered, and the natural affinities 

 which have been recognised after systematic study of the 

 genus. 



Thus, in the groups to which we have called attention 

 on account of the difference in texture of the leaves, the 

 group in which hairs on the leaf are sparsely distributed, 

 and in which the colour is a more lively green, contains — 

 S. triaTtgularis, S. aurita, S. runcinata, S. lyrata, and 

 S. ohovata — all of which belong to the section Heterosphace 

 of Bentham. 



This early resemblance in character is possibly only due 

 to the fact that the species are herbaceous ; if it is anything 

 more, it may be regarded as evidence of relationship in the 

 nature of the leaves and early growth, supporting the 

 recognised relationship based upon the nature of the flowers. 

 >S'. lyrata and >S'. ohovata, which are very closely allied 

 species, show their intimate relationship in a peculiar 

 manner in their earliest stages — in that they are the 

 only species observed in which the leaves are very strongly 

 coloured : the colour was reddish-purple. 



