254 AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 
species by the same circumstance. Lechea I have written into the 
list. of selections partly because that genus figures as perhaps 
the very first to have been seriously and critically investigated, 
and to its increase of species, while as yet Asa Gray at least with 
respect to eastern botany was holding the imperium. It is also 
worthy of note that the amateur, Mr. Leggett, who had been so 
successful in his researches in Lechea, had hardly gathered courage 
to publish his results, and the publication of them was made 
y bolder men after the demise of the investigator. I observe 
Ed that, beyond all doubt in my mind, the species of Lechea in 
the edition of 1908 ought to have been ro rather than 8, the editor- 
ship having reduced two of a New York botanist's species which, 
from their original characterization, seem as valid as any of the 
other five that came into their places late, and are recognized in 
the new book as good. 
But, of entirely another category than that to which Cirsium, 
Hieracium, Senecio and Lechea belong are most of the genera 
listed above, in that the sudden and great increase of them in 
species which my figures indicate—a simply enormous increase 
in the cases of Antennaria, Crategus, Panicum, Rubus and others— 
has come about solely by an accession of new species, all established 
within much less than twenty years; most of them within twelve 
or fifteen. I say established because the editors of the new book 
concede that all the species—in whatsoever newly expanded 
genus—which they have admitted, are valid species; such as they 
themselves have passed their supreme judgment on, and that favor- 
ably. Here are their words: “The present editors have consider- 
ably delayed the issue of this work in order to examine these new 
propositions and give them recognition in all cases where their 
merit could be demonstrated. In a few instances, however, it 
. has been impossible from lack of material or data either to include 
.as valid or to reduce definitely to synonymy such species and 
varieties, and it has accordingly seemed best not to mention them. 
It is not thereby meant that they are not of value, but Merey that 
. evidence of their distinctness has not been available.’ 
Now from this pronouncement, and the explanation, which 
together read so open-mindedly and fairly, one need not overlook 
certain curious logical inevitable conclusions that follow. 
|... There is in Massachusetts a seat of high judgment on all. 
c matters of hae males botany, a court of final appeal before which 
