Transformation of ^^gilops into Wheat. . 103 



milk. It was at one time supposed that by a liberal supply of 

 mere fatty matters a proportionate quantity of good butter would 

 be obtained from the cream. Experience has shown that which 

 physiology Avould intimate to be correct, namely, that nitro- 

 genised matters are equally as important as oleaginous or 

 saccharine in the production of rich milk, and that such milk 

 gives the fullest amount of good cream. If by a well-selected 

 diet the wants of every part of the organism are supplied, it 

 follows that by a generous, as well as a proper one, an uncon- 

 sumed amount of nutritive matter exists in the l)lood, which can 

 be elaborated by the functions of the mammary glands into 

 milk. Elsewhere we have stated, and we close our remarks by 

 repeating, that milk is hit blood in another form. 



IV.- — On the Transformation of j^gilops into Wheat. 

 By Professor Henfrey. 



In the 15th volume of this Journal (page 167) was published 

 a translation of a paper written by M. Fabre, of Agde, in the 

 South of France, the object of which was to show that cultivated 

 wheat, the origin of which is altogether ol)Scure, had been pro- 

 duced from the grass called JEgilops ovata through the influence 

 of cultivation. The facts there brought forward naturally 

 attracted much attention, but the opinions founded on them 

 have been very different. In this country there is seemingly a 

 tendency to admit M. Fabre's explanations as valid ; but they 

 appear by no means conclusive when compared with the results 

 of the experiments of Dr. Godron, contained in the following 

 pages, and which have been confirmed by several otiier botanists. 

 The suggestion that the j^gilops triticoides, which formed the 

 first stage of transition from j^gilops ovata towards wheat, is a 

 hybrid production, appears to have been earliest made by M. 

 Regel, now Director of the Botanical Garden at Moscow, but 

 M. Godron was the first to give practical, and, as it would appear, 

 decisive proof in favour of this view. Professor Planchon of 

 Mcmtpellier has repeated the hybridizing experiments with 

 success, as have also MM. Groenland and Vilmorin, near Paris. 

 Professor Henslow has also found a triticoid form of j^rjilops 

 squarrosa, which proved barren ; affording rather a presumption 

 that it was a hybrid. Mr. Brown, of Colchester, has given an 

 account of a similar form, which was fertile and was cultivated 

 for four years, without however becoming Wheat. We subjoin 

 reference to the notices on this subject, chiefly expressions of 

 opinion, which have been published in this country since we 

 printed M. Fabre's paper in 1854: — Gardeners Chronicle, 



