GNAPHALIUM AND XEEANTHEMUM. 535 
Even a superficial observer cannot but be struck with the 
apparent discrepancies between certain groups of the Com- 
positcE ; but let him examine these groups in detail, and 
these differences at once vanish : for in no class is a uniform 
chain of natural affinities so beautifully exemplified as in 
the Compositce. Here we observe no breaks in the series' 
of natural affinities. If interruptions, therefore, in the^ 
chain of affinities exist, and we know they do exist in other 
families, they are not to be found in this, where the various 
groups are so intimately connected, so blended together at 
their extremities, that it is next to impossible to define their 
limits. This is universally the case in all truly natural 
families. The more a family becomes known, the more 
difficulty attends its separation into groups. 
The end of all divisions in extensive families being prac- 
tical utility, it is not merely necessary to group together 
-the various genera according to tlieir respective affinities to 
a particular genus, which is assumed as the type of each 
separate group ; but it is likewise necessary, in order to 
render such divisions subservient to practical use, that each 
group be limited by certain characters peculiar to each. 
Keeping this in view, therefore, we observe that, whatever 
divisions are adopted in the Compositce, they can only, 
strictly speaking, be regarded as merely artificial. The 
important labours of M. Henri Cassini have thrown great 
light on this class of plants. If this distinguished botanist 
has erred, it is in forming too many divisions, and in sepa- 
rating genera, which nature evidently intended should not 
be disjoined. That Gnaphalium^ which M. Cassini has 
placed among his Imdece, and Xerantliemum, of which 
the same distinguished botanist has constituted a distinct 
group, named by him Xeranihemece, possess all the es- 
sential characters of the Carduacece, must be evident to 
every one who lias turned his attention to the subject. 
All of ihem possess tubular florets, bicaudate anthers^ 
