W. Hatkson 201 



was of a peculiar type.) As white is recessive to blue in flax, these 

 plants were probably from self-fertilised seed. In another ca.se a curious 

 dwarf form with dark blue flowers, about 1 ft. 10 in. high, was similarly 

 tested. It had appear'ed originally as a single plant among crimson 

 L. grandifiorum. Presumably this came from a stray seed. In general 

 appearance this type somewhat resembled the oil flaxes of India. 



A (jnantity iif seetl of this variety, gathered fr uncovered plants 



growing beside the other flaxes, came perfectrly true to type. It is 

 therefore to be presumed that the usitutismmum varieties are habitu- 

 ally self-fertilising, at least in England. On the other hand I cannot 

 explain the fact that the seed sent from Ireland as saved for tallne.ss 

 did not give a crop in any way remarkable for height. 



How many genetically distinct heights exist cannot be said. Besides 

 the oil flaxes which are about 1 ft. 9 in. high we have had certainly three 

 heights : (1) our own tall strain, about 4 feet ; (2) several ordinary blue 

 and also white forms, about 3 feet ; (8) a dark blue, true-breeding type, 

 about 2 ft. 6 in. Each of these is genetically pure, almost beyond 

 question, and the rows of the several types standing side by side were 

 each in general appearance strikingly level and imiform at their re- 

 spective heights. 



