PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 83 



we can procure the seed, we rarely increase in any other 

 way, unless, of course, in cases where particular varieties 

 a r e wanted that we know will not reproduce themselves 

 from seed, so as to be certain of color or form, for it is 

 believed to be highly probable that no plant ever pro- 

 duces identically the same individual from seed. The 

 resemblance may be so close that, to casual observation, 

 it may seem identical; but reasoning from analogy, it is 

 fair to presume that no generated organism of animal or 

 vegetable life, whether from the lowest molecule to the 

 highest type of existence, is ever identical. No two 

 human beings are ever identical in face or form; and even 

 acquired habits, such as handwriting, are never the same. 



Some species of animal and vegetable life, when under 

 domestication, become what is technically termed "brok- 

 en." Thus we find the pigeon, when domesticated, run- 

 ning into a great variety of plumage, while its prototypes 

 of the woods seem to be all alike; but it is fair to pre- 

 sume they each possess a distinct individuality, though less 

 apparent than the others. So it is in plant life When 

 we sow i. ooo seeds of Verbenas or Coleus, (species that 

 have been "broken,") to the experienced eye no two ever 

 are exactly the same, though the original types from which 

 they sprung will seem to produce varieties identical; but 

 in this case also it is reasonable to presume that a dis- 

 tinct individuality is present, though the distinction is so 

 slight that ordinary observation fails to mark it. The 

 eye requires to be educated to nice distinctions of indi- 

 viduality. Shepherds in charge of five hundred sheep 

 can often individualize every member of the flock, which 

 to the inexperienced observer seem all alike. The reader 

 will excuse this digression; but there is a great deal of 

 misconception on this interesting subject. 



In all cases where seed taken from a variety or species 



