362 Dr. T. Bell Salter on some forms of Rubus. 
almost endless variety. Where such can be distinctly proved to 
be the case, we consider that all these forms mest be received as 
constituting one species, and the former so-called species be con- 
sidered as varieties merely, with their former names as convenient 
synonyms. True, there will yet be the parallel difficulty, that all 
of the forms cannot always be referred to one of these named 
varieties, without presenting some characters which would rather 
indicate them as belonging to another ; in other words, there will 
yet be intermediate forms ; but we hold that while these interme- 
diates im varieties prove the species, imtermediates in species are 
the very opprobrium of classification. 
We cannot leave this pomt without adding, that we wish to 
make no reflection on the work of those who may, and we think 
have, thus too much divided ; their labours have done’ too much 
to assist their followers to admit of this ; and we would add, while 
we agree with those who believe tik there yet remain many, 
separated as species which should be united, that it is only the 
part of sound philosophy, where distinctions have been made, to 
receive them as they stand, until by further observation we can 
satisfactorily prove them to be erroneous. 
Independently of, and quite different from, on the one hand the 
gradual development and growth, and the final assumption of the 
adult form in both the animal and vegetable kmgdoms ; and on 
the other hand equally distinct from the changes of form known 
as metamorphoses in some tribes of the former, is a certain other 
development consisting of successions of arrested minor deve- 
lopments, some of ‘which though not final, inasmuch as they are 
in some sort mature or even adult, may occasion and have occa- 
sioned difficulties in the distinguishing of species. This fact, as 
referring in the animal kingdom to some tribes of birds, is suffi- 
ciently familiar. An analogous case is afforded in the Polypo- 
diacee, many species of w hich, in addition to the few successions 
of early fronds which mature and perish, each succeeding one de- 
veloping itself to a greater degree than its predecessor, produce 
some so far adult as to fructify and appear in every respect per- 
fect plants, before the existence of that form which is more pro- 
perly the adult and permanent form of the plant,—a fact which 
has in that natural family been the cause of some confusion*. 
The above remarks are introduced in this place to illustrate 
what appears to be the course of development in the Rubi. The 
surculi from young roots, like fronds from young rhizomata, have 
very little the appearance of those of the same species which are 
truly adult ; indeed so little, that, as in them, the species cannot 
with certainty be determined. The analogy holds further ; for 
* Newman’s British Ferns, p. 208. Phytologist, ii. p. 194. 
