Page:Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1838 Vol.2.djvu/152

142 remarks are confined to that portion of the genus indigenous in the north of England, and which have been long under my observation in their native habitats. It remains for the experimental gardener, by sowing and resowing the seeds, to clear up the obscurity in which many of the supposed species are involved, for that alone can remove all conjectures respecting them. Of the Rubi, another intricate family, we have but six shrubby species, Rubus idaeus, R. suberectus, R. caesius, R. fructicosus, R. corylifolius, and R. glandulosus, and in determining these, there can be no difficulty, unless we attempt to divide them into the endless varieties dignified by specific names by some German Botanists. For one well defined Bramble, very common in the vales of the Highlands of Scotland and Cumberland, we have but a single locality at present, though I think it must have been overlooked in our sub-alpine vallies, among the Cheviot mountains ; I allude to Rubus suberectus. In Borrowdale, and at the foot of Skiddaw, it is not uncommon, both with double and single flowers. It is most nearly allied to Rubus idaeus, but has bright green leaves, and its fruit is nearly black. The figure in English Botany is a good representation of the plant, but I suspect the Bramble of the south of England, by several Botanists considered the same as the Highland plant, will prove to be distinct from it, at least I am led to think so, by dried specimens collected in the former part of the kingdom.

Notwithstanding that the Willows are much more numerous than the Roses, their different species may, with attention, be settled with greater certainty and upon surer grounds, for they are less liable to run into varieties. But from this general rule, Salix aquatica, and more particularly Salix repens must be excluded. Between Salix argentea, the Silky Willow of S MITH, which shoots into a tall upright shrub, and the small decumbent varieties of the Creeping Willow, the difference is very obvious at first sight; but, I mistake, if intermediate varieties cannot be traced to unite the two plants. The series comprises Salix prostrata, S. fusca, S. parvifolia, S. adscendens, and S, incubacea of the English Botany, — probably S. foetida of the English Flora, might be added to the list, but of this I do not possess authenticated specimens.