Notes on Indian Botany. 153 



On some new species of COMPOSITE. 



Much importance is deservedly attached to modifications 

 of the pappus, in the construction of generic characters of 

 Composite, as that organ presents a considerable range of 

 variations of form and texture. Here, however, as in all other 

 cases, the general rule has its exceptions, and examples occa- 

 sionally occur, affording but too good reason to fear that 

 on some, if not many occasions, more stress has been laid on 

 modifications of this organ in the construction and limitation 

 of genera, than it is qualified to bear : under this impression, I 

 have prepared descriptions and analysis of three unpublished 

 plants of the order, all so much alike in general form, that, 

 until somewhat closely looked into, they might almost be 

 supposed, varieties of the same species, two assuredly might, 

 and in fact were supposed the same species by both Mr. Law 

 (their discoverer) and me, until I examined the fructification 

 when the differences at once became obvious, and showed that 

 each of the three might almost be referred to separate 

 genera. 



The one I have called Doronicum tomentosum will, I believe, 

 be admitted on all hands to be a genuine species of that 

 genus : Doronicum reticulatum will equally I think be admit- 

 ted into the genus, but as the type of a section, on account 

 of its subpaleaceous not setose pappus, while the last, as being 

 altogether destitute of pappus, must of necessity, under 

 existing arrangements, be referred to a different genus ; and 

 as I am unable to refer it to any of the present list, have 

 constituted it the type of a new one, bearing the same relation 

 to Doronicum and the radiate sections of Senecio, that Osmi- 

 topsis does to Osmites, — that is, the latter in both cases has 

 pappus, the former none. 



Such being the practice established by those whose exten- 

 sive study of the peculiarities of the order, give them authori- 

 ty to prescribe rules for the guidance of others less fortunate- 



