PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 109 



other circumstances, possess bisexual flowers only, such would most cer- 

 tainly be the character which God and nature would impart to it. On the 

 other hand, if it were more favorable to its development that the flowers 

 should be unisexual, that is, male and female, such would most assuredly 

 be its character; and these two distinct sexes would furthermore be placed 

 on the same plant, or on distinct plants, accordingly as such conditions 

 should be most conducive to the full development of its seed and fruit. I 

 wish further that it should be distinctly understood that there is no waste 

 of even an atom of matter throughout the mighty universe, and to assure 

 • you of this most important fact, that nature never gives or withholds any 

 quality or condition without a purpose, and that the means imparted are 

 always in a precise ratio to the object to be attained. There are upon our 

 globe 4,200 genera, and 40,000 species of plants which have been described 

 by difi'erent authors. Of the 4,200 genera there are only 160 which have 

 male and female flowers distinct, but growing on the same tree or plant; 

 and 180 that have the male and female flowers growing on distinct trees 

 or plants, whereas there are 3,960 genera, and 37,700 species which pro- 

 duce bisexual or hermaphrodite flowers; that is, the male and female 

 organs united in each flower, thus showing an immense preponderance in 

 this latter class of plants. 



As a general rule the character of each genus pervades all the species 

 belonging to it; but, to the amazement of the botanist, we find the Fragaria 

 or strawberry family to be an extraordinary exception, for although com- 

 prising but twelve species, we find these to combine three classes: Icosan- 

 dria, with bisexual flowers ; MonaBcia, with male and female flowers on the 

 same plant; Dioecia, with male and female flowers on distinct plants. 



Such being the normal and primitive condition of the Fragaria, we very 

 reasonably ask — Gui bo7wl — for what good purpose has nature imparted 

 the variations in the sexual character of plants ? I answer that, as nature 

 does nothing without a purpose, these variations of character are in all 

 probability a relative connection with the fact that the strawberry is found 

 from 53 deg. south to 70 deg. north latitude, thus covering 123 deg. and 

 probably more of our globe, and is the only edible fruit found profusely 

 spread over all the zones of the earth. These various distinctions of cha- 

 racter may be, and most probably are, indispensably requisite for its suc- 

 cessful fruition in these diversified locations. I attain to this conclusion 

 from two other astounding facts: first, that these distinctions are normal 

 and climatic — that is, the distinct characteristics are developed in distinct 

 countries; and secondly, that they are permanent and unchangeable, and 

 that there is no hybridization between the distinct sections, thus indicating 

 that the normal condition of each species is alone applicable to its perfect 

 development in its own congenial sphere. 



The European species are hermaphrodite or bisexual, with the exception 

 of the Fragaria elatur (Hautbois), which combines the three sexual divi- 

 sions — male, female and hermaphrodite; and this last species alone inhabits 

 the low lands, whilst the other species are found only in the mountains and 

 high lands, These European species are the following, and they all, in 

 their natural state, produce fruit of small size: 



Fragaria vesca. — The Wood and Alpine strawberries. 



