XI.] VARIETY MAY ORIGINATE TWICE. 239 



be held that every budded tree is a new variety, 

 because each one is in some respect unlike its 

 parent. And it is a fact that some of our varie- 

 ties of fruits and vegetables have originated from 

 what are called bud -variations, or unusual branches 

 or other parts appearing first upon the plant itself ; 

 and this proves that this asexual or bud variation 

 may be as pronounced as any variation or differ- 

 ence in seedlings. But those who contend that every 

 seedling is a new variety will now say that marked 

 variation is much more frequent amongst seedlings 

 than amongst bud -propagated plants ; and this is 

 true. But it is also true that batches of seedlings 

 are often almost indistinguishable from their parents . 

 and are, therefore, no more worthy to be called 

 new varieties than bud -propagated plants are. 



We have now found that no two plants are 

 alike, no matter how they have originated ; but it 

 is only when the differences are great enough to 

 create some new value in the plants that we regard 

 them as new or distinct varieties. If, therefore, two 

 seedling strawberries are brought together and they 

 are so nearly alike that it is not worth while to 

 distinguish them — as often happens — we are forced 

 to conclude that essentially the same type has arisen 

 twice, or, perhaps, even a half dozen times. In 

 other words, a variety is not determined by the 

 manner of its origin. 



Now, synonyms arise in three ways, — by the 

 bringing together of like plants of distinct origin, 

 by the divergence or modification of plants of like 

 origin, and by the simple practice of re -naming. It 

 is commonly held that synonyms are among the mis- 



