CHENOPODIUM ALBUM. 295 
dicans, is the typical form or proper type of the species. When seeds 
are taken from that typical form and are sown in the kind of ground 
(say, worked garden ground) which ordinarily produces that form, 
what could reasonably be expected other than the reproduction of the 
same type-form ? Such a test would be a sham and an absurdity. If 
it be sought to test the persistence of a typical form, let its seeds be 
sown under unusual conditions of soil, or situation, or humidity, ete. 
If it be wished to reduce back varieties aberrant from the type-form, 
let their seeds be sown in those soils or situations where the type oc- 
curs exclusively, or at least much prevails over the other forms. Iam 
satisfied that no true observer and sound reasoner who acts thus, will 
afterwards declare that the varieties of Chenopodium album “ invari- 
ably" come true; that is, constantly reproduce through seeds their 
own like only without variation. 
One other quotation appears suitable and requisite here, if made only 
in self-defence before readers of the * Journal of Botany.’ Last year I 
sent to the Botanical Exchange Club a large supply of specimens of 
C. album, expressly to illustrate the fact that intermediate gradations 
are found wild. In the report of the Club, the following passage oc- 
curs:—“ Mr. W. sends what he thinks * intermediate links ' between the 
varieties, but whether they be so in any true sense is to be doubted. 
As far as experiments have yet gone, they tend to show that these 
forms come up true from seed.” (‘ Journal of Botany,’ No. 63, p. 68.) 
Here we have a feeble confusion of thought,—an incapacity to see 
truth because it is opposed to some preconceived idea, taken up second- 
hand, which ought never to have defaced a report on facts. The spe- 
cimens had been brought before the signers of the report in their 
visible reality. They do not venture to assert that the specimens were 
exact examples of the named varieties, and not forms intermediate 1n 
character between those varieties. They substitute verbiage about the 
possibility of doubting them in the “ true sense " of “ intermediate 
links.” And then they try to disprove positive facts, visible to the 
eyes and understanding, by allusion to alleged results purely nega- 
tive. Mr. J. G. Baker should be mindful not again to let a report, 
which he has to sign, be written by a critic so little prepared to 
criticize correctly. Assuredly that passage was not written by Mr. 
Baker himself. 
rr 
