Peacock : Water Ouzel in Norfli Lincolnshire. 205 



was made. Three years later on one spot in this opening- an 

 endless variety of hybrids, both (i) and {3) were discovered, 

 along- with (4). Under similar circumstances I have found all 

 the forms except (2) elsewhere. At both Bottesford and Cadney 

 I have grown the true P. elatior ]2iC(\., beside acaulis and offici- 

 nalis. The result in both cases was an interminable series of 

 hybrids, like (i), (2), (3), and (4) (though the last was very rare), 

 which will defy anyone to name unless they knew their orig-in. 



As a simple matter of fact, the three plants, called the 

 Primrose, Cowslip, and Oxlip, which from local choice of 

 habitat are like distinct species, when brought together in close 

 proximity in nature or by art are confluent like the named 

 Ruhi and Salices. They are so given to crossing and recrossing- 

 that they can hardly yet be called ' species ' in the modern 

 sense of that word. Without an inkling of our evolutionary 

 theories and terminology to aid him, the acute mind of Linngeus 

 grasped all the facts which could be observed over 150 years 

 ago, and classed the three plants as varieties of one species. 

 With this definition I see no reason to disagree, unless it is to 

 add a matter of direct observation. The Primrose, Cowslip, 

 and true Oxlip are environment species, or ' species in the 

 making,' in posse not in esse yet. This is plainly seen, because 

 their hybrids or sub-hybrids (i), (2), and (3) are much more 

 impermanent than the parent sub-species. Every Vv'ild Lincoln- 

 shire Oxlip I have seen has been of hybrid origin, and has soon 

 disappeared from its native locality. Jacquin's plant is not 

 found with us excepting- in gardens ; it is rare even in 

 cultivation. 



BIRDS. 



Water Ouze! in North Lincolnshire. — While walking on 

 June 9th with my brother, the Vicar of Cadney, Lincolnshire, 

 on the north bank of the beck which divides Cadney from North 

 Kelsey, I observed a W^ater Ouzel hurriedly running across the 

 floor of the stream- and hide itself among the grass of the south 

 bank. Though the water was very shallow at the time, the 

 bird, with the exception of its head, was covered with it. Has 

 Cinclus aquaticus been recorded before in North Lincolnshire? — 

 Julian E. O. W. Peacock, Manchester. 



[Very rare according to Cordeaux's book and pamphlet on 

 ' Humber Birds.' Perhaps a wounded or injured bird. The 

 only summer record is on HalHngton Beck, near Louth. — Eds.] 



1905 July I. 



