82 ABIES, OR SILVER FIRS 
(2) What is the true story of yet another disturbing 
element on the scene in the shape called the Umbel- 
lata, whether it is a variety of the Brachyphylla and 
Homolepis (regarding them as one and the same 
plant), or whether it is a hybrid, as between them 
and the A. Firma? The latter, from evidence re- 
ceived, seems the likeliest solution of this vexed 
question. 
(3) Whether its presence as a new-comer in our 
midst has not added confusion to the scene, and given 
rise to the idea that four identities are in actual 
being—namely, Firma, Brachyphylla, Homolepis, 
Umbellata—whereas in fact only three are existent, 
Firma, Homolepis and the probably cross-bred Um- 
bellata. 
Tempus edax rerum. Time and experience some 
day may solve these knotty complications to the 
' satisfaction of all, and attune the botanical world 
once more in a dull and an uninteresting blend of 
harmony upon these so far unresolved modulations. 
For the time being, the most convenient course to 
pursue, for all lovers of simplicity, is to follow Wilson, 
and to look upon them as one, to talk of them as 
one, and call them either Brachyphylla or Homolepis, 
but not Brachyphylla and Homolepis, as the spirit 
moves or fancy dictates 
The A. WEBBIANA has not earned with us those 
credentials of hardiness that we might have looked for 
from a tree that came from Himalayan heights. 
The story of its failure here seems to be the want of 
constancy in our climatic programme. The com- 
plaint of such trees seems to be that we, as a country, 
exhibit a lamentable want of decision as to what 
sort of weather we are going to provide for them in 
the critical moments of early spring-time. And yet 
it comes from regions that must often experience a 
