Heritable Pelorias. 221 
In a state of cultivation peloric races are also very rare, 
and the common Gloxinia superba erecta with its numer- 
ous color varieties and hybrids is the best generally 
known cultivated example. 1 
Our present knowledge of the origin of Linaria vul- 
yaris pcloria as described in the foregoing pages, justifies 
us in attempting to form some idea concerning the origin 
of such forms in these perfectly analogous cases and 
also to sketch the details of this idea on a basis, or back- 
ground of facts. 
But there are still difficulties in the way. The low 
fertility and the incomplete constancy of the Peloria 
distinguish it from true species. 2 Most systematists 
would evidently not consider L. vulgaris pcloria to be 
a true species unless the common L. vulgaris were ex- 
tinct. 
Besides the examples named, there is a whole series 
of heritable cases of peloria, which either appear as rare 
anomalies, or are familiar cultivated races, and repeat 
the abnormality regularly and in a fairly large number 
of individuals every year. 3 In both cases, however, the 
development of the anomaly is, as usual, in a high degree 
dependent on external conditions. 
There are, as we have stated in the foregoing section 
means rare in Colombia (South America) ; it was discovered there 
by LINDEN in 1843 (LINDEN, Pescatorea, Iconographie des Orchi- 
dees, 1860, Plate II. 
l The spurless varieties of certain species of Viola and Tropae- 
olum may also be regarded as pelorias : see the following page. 
2 From this point of view it would be very important to know 
whether the Mentha and Uropedium cited are perfectly constant, 
that is, never produce atavists without pelorias. 
3 It is extremely doubtful whether, besides these, there are 
pelorias, the origin of which is solely due to external influences 
and does not need the existence of a corresponding internal poten- 
tiality. 
