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5

(Ch. 4)

Dec. 28 1853 Dr. Hooker

Rubus not variable in Himmalaya, though variable in New Zealand as at Horn: Hooker cannot think of any analogous instances. Aconites, Ranunculus just as variable in Himmalaya.—

Hooker went through the N. Zealand & Tasmanian Flora, & he thinks that all the genera which are variable in Europe are quite as variable in these localities. Hence I must clearly give up this kind of generic variability, as any aid in transmutation.

Host of many Ferns vary more in one quarter than in another quarter of the world: thus Ferns are far more variable in Himmalaya, where they range far more in height, than they can do in England, than in England. Thinks Caltha palustris more variable in Himmalaya, than in England. Berberis vulgaris, wildly variable in South of Europe

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but pretty constant in Europe (NB In all these cases there must be so much doubt that some wd consider, perhaps, the variables as species) An anemone which occurs at C. Horn is far more variable in N. America. Alpine Scottish plants vary less than these when occurring over large tracts of country as over Norway — but in this latter case they are of course commoner.— All these facts look like direct influence of external conditions.— Cardamine hirsuta far more variable in N. Zealand than in Europe. In S. Europe Bentham meets with vars. of Dandelion not met with in England.—