386 HE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
: instability 
dency to form hybrids, associated with the inherent insta 
of definite characte, especially such characters as are soparned 
or collectively sensitive to ecological influences, and paeey i i: 
the conditions of the environment. If the physiographica mab ¥ 
Scotland be compared with that of those parts of Kurope pepe 
hawkweeds “most do congregate,” the ecological sonene fa 
not be found to be remarkably different, but essentially aaa ry 
is an axiom of the principles of variation, that like si none Ae 
not produce unlike phenomena; and that, given the simi oe 
ditions in places even far apart, it is not isolated types of en sat 
species that are so likely to occur, as slightly varying or e 
transient products of subsimilar units. 
names! Bentham also says that in this country specimens are 
frequently found apparently intermediate between the commonest 
SR er en em hed cee NN 
THOMAS COMBER. 
(1837-1902.) 
Tuomas Comper, of Nest 
pool on Jan. 24, and whos 
Bombay, where he re- 
» When he joined the firm of Lyon & Co. (Bombay, 
Manchester, iverpool), being himself in charge of the last- 
ment in 1899, : 
began the study of diatoms, to which in later life his 
mainly devoted ; and in 1858, when he was just twenty- 
e early 
leisure was 
