200 LOCK : 



The position of N. langsdorfii in the recognized classification 

 is open to criticism. Its nearest ally appears unquestionably 

 to be N. viscosa, and it seems worth while to consider the 

 advisability of removing N. langsdorfii from the Rustica to the 

 Petunioides section of the genus. The habit and shape of the 

 leaves of N. langsdorfii are quite different from those of any 

 other member of the former group with which I am acquainted. 

 Hybrids have been obtained between N. langsdorfii and N. 

 paniculata and between N. langsdorfii and N. glauca. Both 

 are quite sterile, and the latter is said to be difficult to raise. 

 Plants of the former hybrid were raised by the present writer, 

 and the same was found to be true of them. On the other 

 hand, the cross between N. langsdorfii and N. alata is not only 

 easy to carry out in either direction, but the hybrid plants are 

 almost perfectly fertile. At the same time it is to be remem- 

 bered that fertility of the hybrid offspring is by no means an 

 infallible test of systematic affinity. 



Z.~THE HYBRID OFFSPRING OBTAINED IN F 1. 



Almost every possible combination between the above- 

 named species was attempted, but the following hybrids were 

 all that were raised from parents specifically distinct : — 



ParentSpec.es. otoSty. ""^'-''^'''y- 



Rustica X paniculata . . Kolreuter, Uncovered 



Gsertner , plants set 



&c. a few seeds. 



Paniculata X langsdorfii . . Gsertner . . No goo^ seed. 



Langsdorfii X alata-forgetiana hybrid New* . . Fertile. 



Alata X langsdorfii (var. or hybrid!) New* . . Fertile. 



Tabacum X glauca . . Naudin . . Sterile. 



Acutiflora x alata-forgetiana . . New . . Sterile. 



Alata x forgetianaj . . Recent . . Fertile (partly). 



Plumbaginif olia x acutifolia . . New . . Fertile. 



* Fertile hybrids between N. aUita and N. langsdorfii were obtained 

 by Naudin and Focke. 



t Possibly a hybrid between N. langsdorfii and N. viscosa. 



X Or rather N. Sanderi, wliich is said to be the offspring of a cross 

 betv.een N. forgetiana and N. alata. The plants used, however, agree 

 very closely with tl^e plate and description of N. forgetiana in the 

 Botanical Magazine (Plate Xo. 8,006), so that if the described origin is 

 correct, there must have been marked segregation among the offspring 

 of this cross follovted by the selection of types very near the parent forms. 



