1899] BRIEFER ARTICLES — 479 
which he knew; but Koch‘ gives a different and more plausible 
interpretation. He says “the word znsifit7a means here exotic, in 
distinction from the Sloe which Linnzeus had seen wild in Sweden.” 
Unfortunately we are obliged to depend largely on outside evidence 
for our knowledge of what Linnzeus meant to include in his Prunus 
insititia, the only direct testimony being the original description cited 
herewith. In elucidating this matter we would naturally expect help 
from the botanists of the land where the species was said to grow. 
But the views taken by European botanists of this species are striking 
in their varied disagreements. I will mention only a few of the more 
important. To appreciate their discrepancies it is necessary to remem- 
ber that, as we understand Prunus domestica Linn. in this country, it 
includes all the cultivated plums of European origin except the Myro- 
balans. The latter may be disregarded here, since they take no part 
in the confusion. Thus, with the unanimous consent of American 
botanists and horticulturists, ?. domestica includes the various Green 
Gages, Perdrigons, Prunes, St. Catherines, St. Juliens, etc, and, what 
is of more interest here, the Damsons.5 
Koch* wrote in his Dendrologie (1869), “There is no doubt that 
- this species grows wild in Central Europe ;” but in his Obstgehdlze’ 
: (1876) he says, “It isa Damson run wild.” In the former connec- 
tion he says, “All the cultivated varieties of the true Damsons belong 
here, also many Damson-like Prunes. Others may be crosses between 
the Damsons and the Prunes.” 
Loudon,® speaking of Prunus insititia, said, “This may be a variety 
Of P. spinosa.” : 
Bentham? put Prunus domestica, P. insititia, and P. spinosa all apto 
LP. communis Huds. 
Lucas® refers the true Prunes to Prunus domestica, 
P. insititia the Sloe or Bullace (Krieche oder Haferpflaume) and the St. 
Julien, 
Nicholson™ gives Prunus domestica, P. insititta, and 
Tately. 
ers 
hee ierste est tes 
and puts into 
= 
P. spinosa sepa- 
ee *Dendrologie 1:95. 1869. 
°Cf. F. A. Waugh, Early Botanical views of Prunus domestica 
26: 417, 1898. 
*Dendrologie 1: 95. 1869. 
7Deutsche Obstgehélze 142. 1876. 
*Arb. Frut. Brit. 2: 687. 1854. 
Linn., Bot. Gaz. 
9 Handb. Brit.Fl. 1: 236- 1865. 
10 Finleit. Stud. Pom. 3- 1877. 
1 Dict. Gard. 3: 236- 1887. 
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