BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. G*J 
to doubt the accuracy of the distinction. But if we examine 
them closely, both as regards their comparative structure, 
also in relation to their places of growth, the first apparent 
difference will considerably vanish. The situation in which 
I have invariably found M. collina, is on high and arid banks, 
formed of a light shingle ; and as this soil is less calculated 
to produce a radiation of heat than many others, the plant is 
generally forced into bloom by April, — much earlier than the 
rest of the genus. As the summer advances, however, the 
moisture of the bank becomes absorbed, and the plant 
speedily dies. This individual, when growing in these situa- 
tions, seldom attains a greater height than two inches ; its 
general appearance is very compact, and the leaves densely 
crowded. Its beautifully minute and modest flowers, form 
a most interesting object in the early part of the spring ; 
they will sometimes be found to grow so abundantly, that 
the bank is covered with their bright cerulean petals ; and 
the somewhat broad and thickly matted leaves with which 
the ground is covered, tend to constitute a tout ensemble 
which every true lover of nature must admire. This is, 
indeed, one of those plants which may be said to be “ simplex 
munditiis,” as its minuteness and symmetry, (if I may use 
the term) give it the elegance for which it is noted. 
As respects the M. versicolor , it must be admitted that 
its habit varies considerably from the last-named species ; as 
instead of the stunted and bushy growth which characterises 
M. collina, it assumes an erect form, and the pedicels have 
more of the divergence which is to be seen in the former 
species. I have most usually found this plant on moist 
clayey banks ; sometimes attaining a height of six or eight 
inches, with numerous small branches issuing from the root 
and stem. The leaves, also, are proportionably narrower 
than those of M. collina, a consequence, I jiresume, arising 
from its more elongated form. In other respects, I can 
observe no striking difference between the two ; in both we 
find the uncinated bristles mentioned by Borrer ; and both 
will be found to accord, as regards the smoothness of the 
fruit, and the concave limb of the corolla. Again, a marked 
distinction has been assigned to M. versicolor , from its 
uppermost flowers being of a light buff colour, while those 
which were more fully developed were blue ; this would cer- 
tainly seem rather conclusive ; but, having minutely noticed 
the genus during the summer of 1837, I found it was not 
uncommon for M. collina to have its uppermost florets tinged 
