ASPLENIACEiE. 
Observation on Asplenium germa- 
nicum. - — The fronds from which the 
outlines in the margin were sketched 
led me to suppose that Asplenium 
german/icum was but a form of A. 
Ruta-muraria. Mr. Wilson tells me 
that this conclusion was drawn too 
hastily, and I gladly yield to so high 
an authority, more especially as Mr. 
Wilson’s opinion seems in unison 
with that expressed by nearly all the 
continental botanists. Truth should 
be the only object of the naturalist ; 
and when, in diligently seeking it 
with perfect singleness of purpose, 
his own judgment proves an insuffi- 
cient guide, it seems but reasonable 
that he should avail himself of the 
assistance kindly offered him by 
others, whose opportunities of obser- 
vation have been more extended, 
and whose ability to arrive at a just 
conclusion is greater than his own. 
The pleasure an author may be sup- 
posed to feel in making the catalogue 
of his country’s productions as full 
as possible, has also perhaps some 
little weight, but I am so fully aware 
that this propensity becomes dan- 
gerous when injudiciously indulged, 
that I endeavour as much as possible 
to resist its influence. The question 
of the exact value of differences has 
hitherto scarcely obtained sufficiently 
careful attention, but I doubt not 
the time will arrive when we shall 
be more united on this difficult point. 
