66 



BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



both the former varieties ; the cones of this seem be- 

 set with bkmt prickles bent backwards, the leaves 

 serrulated. This variety is rather more common 

 than var. 2d ; like it, it is a good tree. 



" Var. 4th, The leaves somewhat cm-led or rather 

 twisted, and much shorter than the others : this va- 

 riety is very rare.'* 



Our observation does not go to confirm these sub- 

 divisions. We think they are little more distinct 

 than the fair, the red the black hau-ed, the fair, 

 the sallow, the brown complexioned, the tall, the 

 short, of the same community or even family of men. 

 There is variation and individuality more or less 

 strongly marked in all kinds of organized beings : 

 at least those vegetables which have exposed fructi- 

 fication possess it ; many whose fructification is se- 

 cluded also possess it ; and the others of more con- 

 stant character, such as some of the Gramineas, with 

 a little art (removing their anthers before the 

 pollen bursts forth, and applying the pollen of 

 others as near to them in the chain of life as can 

 be found to be different, or changing the circum- 

 stances by cultm-e), can also be rendered equally vaiia- 



* We think that in mankind the variations of the children of 

 the same parents do not soften entirely — there would seem to be 

 certain types or nuclei both of appearance and temperament 

 around which extenial and internal character vibrates. 



