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Maer

Maer June 6 /42/ (Sterility) (Abortion also)

These notes show how little change produces [variations]

(Dried specimens)

The Geranium phaeum (or var: fuscum v Hooker) was several years ago cultivated in gardens, & was thrown away or planted in plantations. it has now spread itself no doubt by seed. from distance & distinction of changes in a shady damp wood extensively, & from many large clumps. The plants vary considerably in colour from the darkest chocolate (wh. Elizabeth believes was original colouring but now is one of the least frequent) through various shades of pinks & purples, to a pale purple. so as to form quite a nosegay when tied together (yet till my attention was called from Camp-Hill species, I overlooked the fact !!) size of flower varies considerably & flatness & degree of reflexion & sinuosity of edges & amount of pointedness of the petals — in one plant petals almost distinct one from another & diamond shaped & calyx seen between them. — in other only petals make nearly a circle.— In centre of each flower, pale [specks], size & degree of paleness & width of its purple veins differs — the green of the

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of the leaves & the sharpness of their indentations varies — in some flowers outer edge of petals entire, & slightly sinuous, in others rather deeply cleft —

These flowers dichotomous, frequented by Bees = yet The different varieties affect to be in distinct groups, only occasionally mingled together — as original plant cultivated in garden & now runs wild & fighting against weeds , conditions can hardly be considered as new more favourable — or at least as excess of food — if variation depends on excess of food, it is such as nature herself readily supplies, it does not depend on man. —