64 
VAEIETIES. 
As so much attention has lately been directed to the varieties 
of Eerns, it seems desirable that some of these should be 
noticed. Our readers must not be disappointed if they find 
unusual appearances not explained. There is scarcely any 
thing in the vegetable world that is always uniform. Blight, 
insects, poverty or richness of soil, great drought or rain, 
produce marvellous changes in particular plants. These 
things are so local, and confined to certain seasons, that it 
would be impossible to describe what may happen. All that 
will be attempted is to mention some leading and striking 
varieties or monstrosities. 
G-reat is the difference between a variety and a species. 
Man is a species of the order Being. A white, black, or 
copper-coloured man is a variety. The species man inva- 
riably differs from all other earthly beings in the possession 
of reason. There is no such invariable difference between 
the varieties of men. The white man gradually becomes 
darker and darker as he approaches the tropics, until he 
becomes the sable African or Indian. Just so with regard 
to the vegetable creation. One species differs from another 
under every circumstance and aspect. Not so the varieties. 
These so gradually merge one into another, that the line 
of demarcation cannot be distinctly seen. If we see the 
extreme varieties only, we should pronounce them distinct 
species, but when we see how they shade one into the other, 
we cannot hesitate to pronounce that they are one and the 
same species. Besides varieties, monstrosities also occur. 
In 2 Samuel, xxi. 20, mention is made of a man “ that had 
on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes.” This 
we should consider an abnormal or unnatural appearance 
