142 Mr. Winch's Observations on his Flora. 



remarks are confined to that portion of the genus indigenous in the 

 north of England, and which have been long under my observation in 

 their native habitats. It remains for the experimental gardener, by- 

 sowing and resowing the seeds, to clear up the obscurity in which 

 many of the supposed species are involved, for that alone can remove all 

 conjectures respecting them. Of the Rubi, another intricate family, 

 we have but six shrubby species, Rubus idceus, R. suberectus, R. ccesius, 

 R. fructicosus, R. corylifolius, and R. glandidosus, and in determining 

 these, there can be no difficulty, unless we attempt to divide them in- 

 to the endless varieties dignified by specific names by some German 

 Botanists. For one well defined Bramble, very common in the vales of 

 the Highlands of Scotland and Cumberland, we have but a single lo- 

 cality at present, though I think it must have been overlooked in our 

 sub-alpine vallies, among the Cheviot mountains ; I allude to Rubus 

 suberectus. In Borrowdale, and at the foot of Skiddaw, it is not un- 

 common, both with double and single flowers. It is most nearly allied 

 to Rubus idarns, but has bright green leaves, and its fruit is nearly black. 

 The figure in English Botany is a good representation of the plant, but 

 I suspect the Bramble of the south of England, by several Botanists con- 

 sidered the same as the Highland plant, will prove to be distinct from 

 it, at least I am led to think so, by dried specimens collected in the 

 former part of the kingdom. 



Notwithstanding that the Willows are much more numerous than the 

 Roses, their different species may, with attention, be settled with greater 

 certainty and upon surer grounds, for they are less liable to run into 

 varieties. But from this general rule, Salix aquatica, and more parti- 

 cularly Salix repens must be excluded. Between Salix argentea, the Silky 

 Willow of Smith, which shoots into a tall upright shrub, and the small 

 decumbent varieties of the Creeping Willow, the difference is very ob- 

 vious at first sight ; but, I mistake, if intermediate varieties cannot 

 be traced to unite the two plants. The series comprises Salix pros- 

 trata, S. fusca, S. parvifolia, S. adscendens, and S, incubacea of the 

 English Botany, — probably S. Jbetida of the English Flora, might be 

 added to the list, but of this I do not possess authenticated specimens. 



