84 THE ELM. 



After all, it is by no means certain that the wych- 

 elm is a distinct species. No less than seven differ- 

 ent varieties of elm are distinguished by the analy- 

 tical school of botanists. Two species, the campestris 

 and the montana, seem sufficient, and to include all 

 the others that have been proposed ; and even these, 

 as we say, are perhaps resolvable into a single 

 one. The great question of the present day with 

 naturalists, ' ' What is a species ?" seems further from 

 solution than ever. Perhaps the wisest course is to 

 take things as we find them, and be content with 

 their beauty and their grace, their strength and 

 their utilities. 



