From the Preface. IN attempting to describe the characters of the various species of HIERACIUM which are natives of the British Islands, I am fully conscious of the intricacy of the subject, and of the great difficulty which exists in distinguishing between true species, and varieties or extreme forms. When varying altitude, exposure, geological formations, soil, and moisture, all modify the aspect of the same plant, and not unfrequently to so great a degree, as to leave scarcely a trace of resemblance in the extreme forms ...
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From the Preface. IN attempting to describe the characters of the various species of HIERACIUM which are natives of the British Islands, I am fully conscious of the intricacy of the subject, and of the great difficulty which exists in distinguishing between true species, and varieties or extreme forms. When varying altitude, exposure, geological formations, soil, and moisture, all modify the aspect of the same plant, and not unfrequently to so great a degree, as to leave scarcely a trace of resemblance in the extreme forms, to the eye of a casual observer, it will be seen that a difficulty exists, with regard to this genus, which attaches comparatively to few genera, and which patient investigation, and careful comparison can alone surmount. It was under the impression that, as far as the plants of Britain are concerned, this genus had received a smaller share of accurate and diligent investigation than almost any other, (owing mainly no doubt to want of opportunity, ) that, in conjunction with my Father, I was induced many years ago, to pay attention to it." After striving ineffectually for many years, to refer the plants we gathered, to species already described as British, or to make them agree with the characters published in our botanical works, we became fully persuaded that the entire genus required revision, and that the only way to arrive at the truth was by taking nothing for granted, and by examining the specific claim of every specimen. This led to the collection of a considerable series of examples, especially from our mountain districts, which quickly afforded an insight into the great range of form that many species presented. We therefore collected roots of all the forms of every species which we met with, that had any appearance of distinctness; believing that if cultivated in the same soil, and having all the surrounding circumstances removed which contributed to make them vary in their wild state, we should find that many would lose their apparent differences, while others would remain permanently distinct, or perhaps exhibit characters still more clearly distinguishing them from their nearest allies. The result was as anticipated; many plants differing widely in appearance originally, approximated so closely under cultivation as to be clearly identical; while others, which when wild bore a strong resemblance to each other, exhibited, under these circumstances, well marked and permanent characters. Others again retained some few distinct features, and yet so closely approached the typical form in the leading points, as apparently to have only a claim to the name of varieties. Many plants hitherto regarded as varieties, belong to the first of these classes; being only extreme forms, which under similar circumstances of soil, &c. would become typical....
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Add this copy of A Monograph of the British Hieracia to cart. $53.62, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Palala Press.
