380 CALENDAR, 1819. 



seen in gardens. The Poppies belong more properly to the 

 SOLSTITIAL FLORA. The P. somniferum is coming into 

 flower in several gardens about London. JP. hortorum* is 

 likewise in flower, and P. orientale and P. cambricum have 

 not yet gone out. Wild as well as garden Roses are very 

 luxuriant: of the former, Rosa canina and R. rubiginosa are 

 very abundant. Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans, and also Tor- 

 mentilla reptans in flower. 



Tragopogon pratemis and T. porrifolius are now in full 

 flower. 



t 16th. Travelling into Hampshire, I again noticed the 

 abundance of Papaver rhaeas as soon as I got into the chalky 

 soil. P. dub'ium likewise was flowering here and there.} P. 



* I have adopted this name for the Variegated Garden Poppy till its 

 species shall be determined. I am doubtful whether it should be regarded 

 as a variety of the White Poppy P. somniferum, the capsule being only 

 one fourth of the size, while the whole plant and flowers are larger, the 

 leaves being paler and less jagged, and by its wanting the hispidity of the 

 stalk beneath the flower. Moreover, I do not know of any proof that the 

 seeds of the White Poppy come up and bear the flower of the variegated 

 kind in any soil whatever. The origin of species generally may be reckoned 

 very doubtful. Species may be only varieties become permanent in their 

 character by time. But certainly the Variegated Poppy has as just a claim 

 to distinction from the white as many plants admittedly different in species. 

 The effect produced by soil, and the varieties in the composition of the 

 characteristics in different specimens, may be regarded as constituting the 

 strongest arguments on the other side of the question, and as corroborating 

 the notion of the garden Poppy being only a variety. 



f PRAGUE, AUG. 11 The 26th ult. one of the towers of the Cathedral 

 was struck by Lightening and entirely destroyed ; the roofs of the adjoining 

 houses were much damaged by the fall from it of masses of stones and 

 masonry. 



P. Iwrtorum is the name by which I sometimes distinguish the garden 

 variety from the large White or Officinal Poppy. 



