477 



and whose seedlings closely approximate. If they all be variations 

 from one species, there is every probability that in two or three gene- 

 rations (successively cultivated on the solitary system) a general ten- 

 dency will be manifested to return to one form. When we have 

 satisfied our minds as to their specific distinctness or the contrary, 

 we may try what freaks Nature will play under a regular process of 

 hybridization. 



The investigation must necessarily be tedious, and the examiner 

 liable to many failures ; but this must not discourage us. 



J. Backhouse, Jun. 

 York, March 10, 1849. 



List of Plants naturalized near Brechin, Forfarshire, obserred in 

 1848. By William Anderson, Esq. 



THe following is a list of naturalized plants that flowered, last sea- 

 son, in woods near Brechin Castle, Forfarshire. 



Meconopsis Cambrica 



Chelidonium majus 



Geranium phceum 



Valeriana pyrenaica 



Doronicum pardalianches 



Polygonum Bistorta 



Runtex alpina 



The above are either escapes or outcasts from the garden. 



Saponaria officinalis, var. with double flowers, grows by the side of 

 a field a little above the service bridge to Brechin Castle. A cottage 

 stood near the spot upwards of thirty years ago ; hence the origin of 

 the plant in this station. Flowered last October. 



I cannot leave the subject of Brechin-Castle Botany without no- 

 ticing further on the Tulipa sylvestris. In following up the remark 

 made by me in the ' Flora of Forfarshire,' I may now add my firm 

 belief that this plant is not indigenous in the station near Brechin 

 Castle, from the circumstance of its being found only near the site of 

 the old garden (and to all appearance where part of the mould has 

 been deposited), and along with it the Tulipa. 



I am surprised at the silence that has hitherto prevailed regarding 

 this plant (at least in this station), while others perhaps less interest- 



