4M 



VARIETIES, 



CHAP. XXIII. 



OF VARIETIES. 



THE collecting of Varieties under their proper species, is a 

 work no less necessary than that of collecting the several spe- 

 cies under their proper genus. We have observed in the last 

 Chapter, that such differences as are only incidental to vegetables, 

 and are not found constant and unchangeable in them, are to be 

 considered as varieties only. These •varieties are grounded chiefly 

 on the following circumstances, viz. sex,,. .magnitude, time of 

 flowering, . . .colour, . . . scent, . . . taste, . . . virtues and uses duration, 

 ...multitude,. ..pubescence,. ..leaves, ...and monstrous flowers. Of all 

 which we shall treat in their order. 



The Sex of plants in the class Dicecia affords a variety of all 

 others the most natural; for the male and female flowers in this 

 class be^ng upon different plants, these last are distinguished by 

 the fructification, though the species is the same in both. But it 

 must be observed, that this kind of variety holds only in the class 

 Diorcia; for in the genera that belong to any of the bisexual 

 classes, the same circumstance, whenever it happens, becomes a 

 specific distinction: thus in Rumex, which belongs to the class 

 Alexandria, the Acetosa and Acetosella, being dicecius plants ; 

 that is, having their male and female flowers on distincts roots, 

 these species are thereby distinguished from the rest of the 

 genus. 



Magnitude is no specific difference, but a variety, being lia- 

 ble to alteration from the soil or climate. 



The Time of flowering is a treacherous mark of a distinct spe- 

 cies ; and unless supported by other distinctions, can only be 

 considered as a variety. 



