168 50. GENTIANACE.E, 



Gentiana acaulis, Limu 



Area [6^*9]. 



Incognit. The inclusion of this species in the lists of 

 our native plants, on the most unsatisfactory evidence, 

 might be cited to show that influential and leading bota- 

 nists of some half century ago were quite as hasty in such 

 matters, as are the most shallow pretenders and would-be- 

 thought discoverers of the present time. It was stated to 

 have been found wild near Haverfordwest, in Pembroke- 

 shire, by a Frenchman, M. de St. Amans, early in the pre- 

 sent century. Quite recently, the same species has been 

 again announced from another, and still less credible 

 habitat, by Mr. J. Sidebotham, a contributor to the Phyto- 

 logist, upon the precision of whose statements in matters 

 of science I feel myself unable to place reliance. The 

 following is his account : — " Mr. Townley, of Manchester, 

 gathered this plant several times on sand-hills near Liver- 

 pool, where he described it as growing in abundance, far 

 apart from any cultivation. I have seen and possess some 

 of his specimens which were brought in a living state to 

 the late Mr. Crozier." (Phytol. iii. 71.) In all likelihood 

 there was a misnomer of the species. It is diflScult to be- 

 lieve that so showy a plant could be abundant on the 

 sand-hills near Liverpool, and yet remain unknown to the 

 botanists of that town and neighbourhood. Moreover, 

 sand-hills " near Liverpool," and at the same time " far 

 apart from any cultivation," would be almost as diflScult to 

 find, as the Gentiana acaulis itself will prove to be. G. 

 Pneumonanthe occurs in different spots in the vicinity of 

 Liverpool, and the two commoner species also. 



