172 CHiCKWEEDS. [June, 



upon the several points above alluded to^ and incite the same 

 explorer to renewed observation. A. 



CHICKWEEDS. 

 See to the Chickweeds. 



Perhaps nearly every reader of the ' Phytologist' thinks he knows 

 quite enough about Stellaria media, one of his earliest acquaint- 

 ances, and such a common weed as it is. 



It is, however, the very object of our series of extracts from 

 Boreau (upon Draba, Viola, Ranuncidus, etc.) to draw renewed 

 attention to the exact discrimination of some of the commonest 

 plants, which few people think it worth while to examine at all. 

 And though it is easier to adopt the method of Mr. Bentham, 

 who confiscates both species and varieties at once, yet it is be- 

 lieved that, for those who care to make British Plants a real 

 study, there are three great advantages derivable from a diligent 

 attention to common plants. 



First, we hereby train the mind to the practice of that accuracy 

 which is so essential to science. 



Secondly, there is provided ample occupation for the local 

 botanist. 



Thirdly, by this means are to be collected the items of evi- 

 dence upon which eventually must depend any attempt at esta- 

 blishing something like agreement as to the limits and number 

 of species, it being notorious that those who are at present most 

 disposed to " lump" species are usually those who have least 

 practical acquaintance with the plants, and that their operations 

 are too often the merest guesses. At the same time it cannot be 

 denied that many species have been recently far too much sub- 

 divided, and that it is equally the fault of some " splitting" bo- 

 tanists to have established species with too short experience. Still 

 for all that, nearly all the progress recently made in the know- 

 ledge of our British Plants is owing to the latter of the two 

 '' schools," and much will have been gained if we but lay the 

 foundation for future experiments by registering all the " forms" 

 which we can find ; thus securing a starting-point for observations 

 upon the variability and permanence of the true species. Common 

 plants, above all others, are likely to furnish data for such in- 



