1 66 Outlook to Nature 



any scheme of classification, and rebel at 

 the paragraphing into distinct categories (or 

 species) to which, in an age of formalism, 

 the organic creation, like the Scriptures, was 

 subjected. Among common plants, some of 

 these groups are the asters, brambles, 

 golden-rods, cucurbitaceous plants, straw- 

 berries, grapes, plums and their kin, and 

 many of the sunflower-like groups. 



Geographical differences. 



Some of the best illustrations of the separat- 

 ing of two or more species from a parent stock 

 are afforded by so-called geographical species. 

 A certain species of wild grape extends from 

 the humid climate of the Atlantic seaboard to 

 the arid country of Texas. It was first made 

 known from eastern specimens and was named 

 Vitis aestivalis. Later on, Texan specimens 

 were described as Vitis Linsecomii. In these 

 extremes the two grapes are perfectly well dis- 

 tinguished and have every merit to be ranked 

 as distinct species. In the intermediate country, 

 however, they merge and are indistinguishable. 



