stituted experiments on hybridising, for the purpose 
of developing the laws of vegetable reproduction, a 
better knowledge of which may, in the first place, 
discover to us the organic differences in plants which 
constitute a barrier to hybridisation ; and, secondly, 
may enable us to anticipate the probable value of 
the offspring of any two distinct species which may 
reasonably be expected to mingle their characters. 
We say laws of reproduction, for doubtless these are 
immutable; and an investigation of them is the pri- 
vilege of rational beings. T o say that these changes 
of character in plants, are the result of chance, is, 
as Dr. Rogett observes, equivalent to the assertion 
that they are wholly without a cause. In lieu of 
such rational enquiry, we sometimes find a preju- 
dice raised against the endeavor to effect that which 
is more or less continually brought about by nature 
uninfluenced by human agency; and it would seem 
that w hen nature cannot conveniently be circumscri- 
bed by the systems of man’s invention, a desire arises 
to restrict the prolific operations of that all-bountiful 
providence, the incomprehensible variety of which 
ought but to excite unbounded admiration. 
The Potentilla tormentillo-formosa w as raised by 
R. Tongue, Esq. of Forton Cottage, Lancaster; and 
its prostrate growth much resembles that of Tor- 
mentilla reptans, but it does not emit roots at the 
stem joints. The Messrs. Pope of Handsworth, 
who favoured us with the plant for drawing, say 
that with them, it seems to be an almost perpetual 
bloomer. It bears some resemblance to our owm 
hybrid Potentilla, No. 385, but has smaller and less 
brilliantly coloured flowers. 
