PROF. CREPIN : CONSIDERATIONS ON " SPECIES.'* 



3 



In the present state of science, wlien a great number of new species have 

 yet to be named, how can we avoid being constantly in doubt. The plant, 

 tolerably fresh and complete, which we hold in our hand, seems by the 

 majority of its characters to correspond to such and such a description, but a 

 neighbouring diagnosis does not fit it badly. Which of the two shall we 

 refer it to 1 Is our plant an undescribed species 1 What means shall we 

 resort to, to determine if? We can, it is true, compare our form with 

 authentic specimens of all the allied forms already described, but we know 

 that dried specimens are not always satisfactory. To be perfectly sure that 

 our determination is correct, we must cultivate our plant alongside all the 

 allied forms already knowiio This method of identification would be 

 impracticable for the greater proportion of Botanists, and this being the case, 

 we may perceive vfhat a terrible weeding-out would be required in our science 

 after a few years. It is evident that M. Jordan and his disciples have 

 hitherto only named but a very small number of the new species existing 

 in Europe. An unlimited number of forms still remain to be recognised and 

 limited. Suppose the Germans, the Swedes, the English, and the Italians, 

 all at work with the ideas of the Erench reformer, and see them engaged in 

 the struggle with the Diagnoses already published. Their identifications 

 being very often impossible ; the multitu.de of new species which would 

 immediately see light, would have double and triple meanings. How acute 

 a man would be required in after days to elucidate the synonymy ! Indeed 

 he would never find himself, — it would be utterly impossible after 

 what we have stated above. We can see a most frightful chaos if 

 M. Jordan and his school should eventually triumph. The insurmountable 

 difficulties which would surround the determination of species would cau.se 

 the study of plants to be abandoned by the multitude of amateurs. We 

 should only meet with rare and obstinate v/orkers, who v/ould have the 

 courage to approach some genera. The complete study of the flora of a 

 small country would require several lives. In schools where botany is 

 taught, both pupils and professors, finding themselves forced to keep to the 

 study of the ancient types, would be obliged to rest content with the genera, 

 which are formed by the dismembered types. 



Another inconvenience of the progress of the new school would be the 

 abandonment for many years of the study of botanical geography. There is 

 no necessity to give any reason for this : it will at once strike the mind of 

 any one who reflects upon it. 



We see then to what we should be led, if the principles of M. J ordan 



