the simple leaf in the common Barberry, and 
all the other species belonging to the same section, 
being articulated with the petiole, proves, accor- 
ding to this excellent physiologist, a naturally 
compound nature, just as the leaf of the Jasmine, 
which is more usually compound, becomes in sev- 
eral species simple ; but still shows its compound 
nature by its articulation with the petiole; there is 
therefore no more reason on this account to separate 
the pinnated-leaved Barberries from the simple- 
leaved, than there is to divide the Jasmines with 
simple, from those with compound leaves. Nuttall 
and De Candolle have erroneously adduced the 
want of glands at the base of the petioles as a dis- 
tinguishing character, as Mr. Brown finds that 
these exist in all the known species, though vary- 
ing in size, and sometimes, as in our plant, nearly 
concealed by the breadth of the flat filament. The 
only other character of importance in the attempt 
to establish Mahonia as a distinct genus, is the 
teeth on the filaments, which Mr Brown finds are 
present in three of the pinnated-leaved species ; 
but entirely wanting in two.” The impropriety of 
the division of these plants, on account of some of 
them having simple, whilst others have compound 
leaves, is acknowledged by all, or nearly all, Eng- 
lish botanists. 
In cultivation this, and nearly every other of the 
Barberries, may be managed with very little atten- 
tion; many of them, indeed, luxuriate, and multi- 
ply so freely by offsets, that they not only live 
without care, but may be rapidly increased simply 
by division of their roots. 
