Aquilegia.] flora indica. 45 



is to be placed in such distinctions, and no argument will have any weight with those 

 who attach specific value to trifling variations. 



To the size and degree of branching, wldch too often constitute the only distinc- 

 tions between alpine and lowland plants, and which have, in the genus Aquilegia 

 as well as elsewhere, been used as specific characters, it is not possible to attach 

 much weight. It will be found that size is not accompanied by any constant cha- 

 racters, but that in this genus, as in most or all of those which are common in al- 

 pine regions, every variety has its dwarf and tall state. It is well known to gar- 

 deners that the species of Aquilegia do not retain their stature in cultivation for any 

 length of time, but that they become by degrees tall and luxuriant, and totally unlike 

 their original condition. AH the more luxuriant states of A. vulgaris, indeed, are 

 probably of garden origin, as the wild species in all mountain countries attain no 

 great size. 



It is, however, upon the shape of the floral organs and the size of the flowers that 

 specific characters are in general founded. The colour of the flowers has also occa- 

 sionally been employed as an auxiliary ; but little stress having been laid upon it, 

 we need only remark that in gardens every colour is common, and that changes 

 in that respect are known to be produced by artificial circumstances. The colour 

 of the anthers, which has occasionally been relied on, seems to depend in a great 

 measure upon the depth of colour of the perianthial leaves, being yellow when they 

 are white or pale, and leaden or bluish when they are dark. 



We cannot find in the published descriptions of this genus that any of the Euro- 

 pean species have any smell. There can be no doubt, however, that the more al- 

 pine Himalayan forms growing in dry places are sweet-scented, and that they even 

 retain their agreeable odour when raised from seed in gardens in this country. At 

 the same time, these sweet-smelling forms are in no way distinguishable from Eu- 

 ropean specimens of A. viscosa and A. Pyrenaica, and the odour seems to depend 

 on the development of the viscid glands so abundant in such states. 



In passing in review the floral organs of the supposed species here reduced to A. 

 vulgaris, it may be remarked in the first place that, including the straight or hooked 

 spurs, all the characters derived from them are those of degree only. The sepals vary 

 from long acuminate to quite obtuse, and their size is equally variable, as is also that 

 of the flowers. In structure there is not even a shadow of a difference, and characters 

 derived from proportion allow of the separation of any number of species. The shape 

 of the inner abortive scariose filaments, the parastemones of Eeichenbach, has been 

 relied upon by that author ; but they appear to vary very much, and not to be de- 

 serving of any attention. 



If the straight and hooked spurs were a constant character, it would form an ad- 

 mirable specific distinction. Unfortunately this is by no means the case, as may at 

 once be seen by examining the diagnoses of authors, in which the words subincurved, 

 slightly cm-ved, etc., are of common occurrence. On many specimens too, perfectly 

 straight and much incurved spurs may be met with on one plant. Some curious 

 instances of the difliculties which beset authors who attempt to retain all the species 

 usually distinguished may be mentioned. Reichenbaeh quotes A. aljiina, DC. (charac- 

 terized by straight spurs, apice subincurva), under his^. Sternbergii, to which he as- 

 cribes much incurved spurs (valde incurvata). He is mainly led to this by the figure 

 of Delessert, who undoubtedly ought to be supposed to know the plant intended by 

 De CandoUe, but who represents a specimen with a much hooked spur, without any 

 indication that the diagnosis of the species does not correspond with his figure. In 

 like manner Lindley figures (Bot. Reg. 1847. t. 64) A. leptoceras, Fisch., raised 

 from seeds sent by the author himself to the Horticultural Society. The plate re- 

 presents a much incurved spm-, while the accompanying description, copied from 

 Kscher, dwells especially upon the perfectly straight spur as the distinguishing mark 

 of the species. 



However paradoxical the views which we have thus expressed may appear to 

 those who, on the authority of European systematists, have been in the habit of 



