161 Ger 
ON EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS UL. 
By Freprericx Townsenp, M.A., F.L.S. 
Tue question whether Fuphrasia officinalis L. represents.a single 
polymorphic species, or a collective species, and what rank its 
numerous forms should take as representatives of the genus, are 
questions upon which botanists have been much divided. For 
some time past this enquiry has occupied my attention, and I am 
glad of an opportunity to make known to others similarly interested 
in the subject the conclusions I have been led to. I at present 
confine myself to the European forms, though I am aware that the 
ject cannot be treated satisfactorily without taking into con- 
orms. ut, with the exception of the 
abundance forming, as the such cases, a feature in the near 
landscape, especially in pasture land, both in the lowl in 
the alps. power possessed by the whole group to va hin 
not think time is ill-spent which is devoted to the study of such 
botanist,} who writes—* I would not join with those who depreciate 
the value of the careful study of the numerous forms presented by 
Polymorphic plants such as our Old World Euphrasia, provided the 
Work be carefully executed, and without the object of merely adding 
to the pile of nomenclature. So far from undervaluing them, I 
look forward to our gaining much additional light on the relations 
of the organised world from such enquiries when directed by close, 
careful, and prolonged observation’’; he adds that a study of the 
ath tenting 
* «Entwicklungsgeschichte der Pflanzenwelt,’ ii., 101. 
+ Mr. John Ball, F.B.S., F.L.S., &e. . 
_Journan or Borany.—Vou. 22. [June, 1884.] M 
