1863.] REVIEWS. 403 



turn, Baker, is E. jialustre, var. latifolium. His experiments aucl 



the results are as follows : — ■ 



" T sowed seeds obtained from E. Ugidatnm sent rae by Mr. Baker, and 

 I raised, with a slight difference, the typical form of E. palustre. The new 

 species diminished in size, its stem became cylindrical, with the exception 

 of two lines of hair developed from the point of foliar insertion (opposite 

 leaves), and taking the place of two prominent lines between the lower 

 joints. In this variety the cnrious stolons of E. palustre are equally well 

 developed in autumn. This variety, in a wild state, has often the base of 

 its stem creeping, and deeply buried in the turf; but when cultivated, its 

 stem recovers its usual state, erect at the base." 



In this specieSj, E. palustre, and in OxaJis stricta, the stolons 

 are very characteristic. There are in both (?) these, two kinds of 

 stolons, produced from the axils of the lowermost leaves; the 

 one sort producing only bulbils or little buds, the other rosettes 

 of spreading leaves. Both kinds are capable of rooting and of 

 continuing the plant on which they grow. Are botanists gene- 

 rally aware that Oxalis stricta has what is called a perennial 

 duration, equally with Epllohium palustre ? All authors de- 

 scribe the roots of the latter as perennial, and most call the 

 former an annual. 



Would physiological botanical observers have the goodness to 

 tell students what is the differeuce between bulbils and rosettes? 

 Or does the bulbil become a rosette when developed, and is the 

 undeveloped rosette different from a bulbil? Is there any es- 

 sential difference between them ? Is it satisfactory to ascribe a 

 different origin and organization to two bodies (or to separate 

 them), if in process of time they are undistinguishable, and pro- 

 duce the same results, viz. living plants ? It may be said that 

 seeds, buds, bulbs, and stolons, are all equally capable of con- 

 tinuing the existence of the individual. Seeds, however, produce 

 a new individual or a new variety of individuals, sometimes a 

 new race. Detached bulbs, stolons, etc., whether they are de- 

 veloped above-ground, like the strawberry, or under-ground, like 

 Stachys j^alustris, Doronicum Pardalianches, etc., only continue 

 the individual or increase its number. 



The above-ground stolons and the under-ground stolons differ 

 little except in their position, either exposed to the light or de- 

 veloped in darkness. They equally produce plants exactly like 



