THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION. 
119 
1841 .] 
been carefully examined by me this season, and I have found, in the neighborhood 
of St. Louis, four distinct species and a distinct genus, only one species being 
known so far, according to my knowledge and the books which I could compare. 
I send you specimens of all the species. An essay on this interesting genus I in¬ 
tend to publish in Silliman’s Journal, with figures. 
The genus Verbena I have had occasion to examine from another cause. The 
species are well known, but many intermediate forms have puzzled me for several 
years, till, by closer investigation, these intermediate plants proved to be hybrids; 
and no genus of American plants, I believe, is richer in hybrids than Verbena. 
We have seven species, as described in botanical works here. One of them, Ver¬ 
bena aubletia, is very distinct from the others, and enters into no connection with 
them; another, Verbena hastata, I cannot but consider a variety of Verbena pani- 
culata ; so that five species remain, which produce hybrids with one another: Ver¬ 
bena bracteosa, urticifolia, paniculata, stricta, and angustifolia; and already I have 
discovered five, or rather seven, hybrids between them. 
You will ask, why are they hybrids ? Why not varieties of other species, or 
genuine species themselves ? 
Because they are rare, never common, and only grow where the parent species 
are common; because they are in all respects intermediate between the parent spe¬ 
cies; and, principally, because they do not produce ripe seed, or produce it only in 
extremely small quantities, and therefore hardly ever propagate. 
My hybrids are: 1. Verbena, bracteoso-urticifolia; 2. urticifolio-bracteosa; 3. pa- 
niculato-urticifolia ; 4. stricto-urticifolia; 5. urticifolio-stricta ; 6. stricto-panicula- 
ta; 7. stricto-angustifolia. 
I can send you to-day only 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, together with the parent species. 
Next season I intend to pay more attention to this interesting anomaly, and pro¬ 
pose to keep you apprized of my discoveries. Would that other botanists might 
pay some attention to this singular freak of nature. I have no doubt that some 
plants, which are now considered genuine species, will prove hybrids in other gene¬ 
ra also. Very respectfulty, yours, &c. 
GEORGE ENGELMANN. 
H. King, M. D., Curator of the National Institution. 
Stated Meeting, December 13, 1841. 
Present, one hundred and three Members. 
Peter Force, Vice-President, in the Chair. 
Mr. Force, the Vice-President, from the Committee appointed to 
wait on the President of the United States, announced that, in com¬ 
pliance with the wish of the members, the President of the United 
