168 STENOSIPHON VIRGATUS.—THE STENOSIPHON. 
ous steps by which new forms have been introduced. Geology 
shows that the ancient flora of the earth was different from ours, 
and yet closely related to it. We find also that the members of 
our present flora vary under differing circumstances over the 
earth; and the tracing of the connecting links by which one part 
is bound to the other is no mean element in the pleasure of 
modern botanical studies. 
Almost all pretty flowers have familiar or common names in 
addition to their botanical designations,—or they soon receive 
them. Very often all may see their fitness, but occasionally 
they are inappropriate.. Where none has been given, some 
have been suggested in our work. In the present case the 
plant has no common name, and it is not easy to offer one 
from a translation of its Greek name, “ Slender-tube,” that is 
likely to be popular. Possibly in the future, when its late 
autumn attraction in the flower-garden is fully appreciated, it 
may be known as the “ October-Beauty,” just as we have a 
« Spring-Beauty,” a “Meadow-Beauty,” and so on. For the 
present we will content ourselves with “ Stenosiphon.” 
