ON THE EXISTENCE OF TWO FORMS IN SPECIES OF LINUM, 69 
organs are almost concealed by the spathe and bracts. Its nearest 
known ally is probably H. rostrata, Ruiz and Pavon, a native of 
Peru. . Dr. Anthoine desires that this noble plant should bear the 
name of the Empress of Russia, which I have therefore attached 
to it. 
Hexriconta Mariæ, Hook. f. Foliorum vaginis truncum elatum effor- 
mantibus, lamina oblonga petiolata ampla, spicis longe pedunculatis 
pendulis, spathis crebre dense disticho-imbricatis rachin omnino velan- 
tibus late ovato-cymbiformibus recurvis obtusis, floribus bracteis in- 
clusis glabratis. 
Hab. Betami on the Sinu River (lat. 8? N.), State of Bolivar, in New 
Granada (Dr. A. Anthoine). 
Truncus 3-4 metr., cum foliis 6 metr., etiam 10-15 centimetr., levis, 
viridi-purpureus (Anth.). Folia oblonga v. lineari-oblonga, obtusa, 
3-4 ped. longa, petiolo squilonga, viridia. Pedunculus crass. digiti, 
curvus, glaber, siccus flexuosus, teres, intus vasibus mollibus farctus. 
Spice là ped. longz, 3-4 poll. late, lineares, obtuse, compress. 
Spathe 60-80, dense imbricatz, reflexee, valde concave, late ovato- 
cymbiformes, glabre v. pubescentes, lateribus erectis, basin versus sub- 
cordate, marginibus undulatis, apice obtusiuscule ; infime rostrate ; 
inferiores 1-2 distantes, 4-5 unc. longe, rachin pubescentem non 
tegentibus; czterz 2-2} unc. longa, rachin velantes; superiores in- 
feriores amplectentes. Flores rubri (Anth.), in spatha singula 15-20, 
bracteis lineari-lanceolatis glabriusculis inclusi, receptaculo brevissimo 
in axilla spathze inserti ; apicibus perianthii tantum exsertis. Bractee 
albze, spatha breviores, ovato-lanceolatze, basi concave, exteriores vacuz. 
Pedicelli 3" longi, crassiusculi, villosuli, compressi. Ovarium trigonum. 
Perianthium 1" long., foliolis extus subtomentosis. Stylus apice in- 
curvus. Anthere incluse. Drupa eerulea (Anth.), 3-cocca; coceis 
oblongis, compressis, basi antice fovea cupuleformi notatis, subrugosis, 
Osseis, intus subrugosis. Semen erectum; testa membranacea, raphe 
annulari circumdata. Albumen subfarinaceum. Embryo axillaris, gra- 
cilis, extremitate radiculari paulo crassiore, germinatione foveam cocci 
perforante. 
On the existence of two forms, and on their reciprocal sexual re- 
lation, ip several species of the genus Linwm. By CHARLES 
Danwr¥, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. 
[Read February 5, 1863.] 
Tae crimson Linum grandiflorum presents two forms, occurring 
in about equal numbers, which differ little in structure, but greatly 
in function. The foliage, corolla, stamens, and pollen (examined 
