182 JOURNAL OF THE KOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



variata. In Johnson's edition of Gerard's "Herbal" (1633) the same 

 enumeration of forms and the same descriptions occur, but they are 

 accompanied by different figures. They seem to represent the following 

 Pansies : the Heartsease is apparently V. variata ; the Upright Hearts- 

 ease is apparently V. polychroma ; the Wild Pansy is a degenerate garden 

 escape ; while the Stony Heartsease appears to be a small-flowered arvensis 

 form. Thus it is quite evident that at this early date different forms of 

 wild Pansies were recognized, and, so far as we can judge from the figures, 

 for that time excellent, but not sufficiently critical to render definite 

 identification possible, the following Pansies seem to have been known : 

 V. Lloydii, V. variata, and (rather doubtfully) V. polychroma, all of which 

 would serve as useful plants for crossing with V. lutea to produce garden 

 stock. 



Fig. 68. — Viola declinata Waldst. and Kit. 

 1 and 1a, Flower ; 2, leaf from middle of stem ; 4, stipule. (Natural size.) 



In conclusion, it must be emphasized that it is of the utmost impor- 

 tance to understand the differences between these apparently distinct 

 species in case any further hybridizing experiments involving the use of 

 wild pansies should be contemplated. To say that V. lutea was crossed 

 with the wild Heartsease Pansy means nothing but confusion. Eecent 

 work on hybridizing has shown with the greatest certainty that two closely 

 allied forms may give quite different results when crossed with a third 

 form, and hence we must be perfectly sure of our units if the record of the 

 results of hybridizing is to have any value. 



If, then, it be urged that the study of ultimate species is of a hair- 

 splitting and somewhat unworthy kind, the answer even from a merely 

 utilitarian point of view is at once forthcoming : that unless we know 

 our units we can never count on any success in repeating crosses for 

 horticultural purposes. To the botanist the only necessary justification is 

 that, if the investigation be carried out conscientiously, the results must 

 be a real contribution to our knowledge of the Vegetable Kingdom. 



