1 68 STENOSIPHON VIRGATUS. THE STENOSIPHON. 



ous Steps by which new forms have been introduced. Geology 

 shows that the ancient flora of the earth was different from ours, 

 and yet closely related to it. We find also that the members of 

 our present flora vary under differing circumstances over the 

 earth ; and the tracing of the connecting links by which one part 

 is bound to the other is no mean element in the pleasure of 

 modern botanical studies. 



Almost all pretty flowers have familiar or common names in 

 addition to their botanical designations, — or they soon receive 

 them. Very often all may see their fitness, but occasionally 

 they are inappropriate. Where none has been given, some 

 have been suggested in our work. In the present case the 

 plant has no common name, and it is not easy to offer one 

 from a translation of its Greek name, " Slender-tube," that is 

 likely to be popular. Possibly in the future, when its late 

 autumn attraction in the flower-garden is fully appreciated, it 

 may be known as the " October-Beauty," just as we have a 

 "Spring- Beauty," a "Meadow-Beauty," and so on. For the 

 present we will content ourselves with " Stenosiphon." 



