96 Transactions. 



hybrids, plants could be obtained which represented a pedigree 

 of six species. Theoretically, it is said, every willow species may 

 hybridize with each other ; but practically the number of natural 

 hybrids is limited owing to different periods of flowering and 

 non-proximity of many species. In the " ivevision " the number 

 of true species is reckoned as 17, and the number of hybrids as 

 41 (the latter number has been added to, however, since the 

 author published his work). Dr Wliite defines " a hybrid in its 

 best condition as exactly intermediate in character between its 

 two parents ; but more frequently it shows a greater relationship 

 with one rather than with another ; and in these cases where it 

 occurs in any abundance a series of specimens can usually be 

 obtained exhibiting a more or less perfect gradation from one 

 parent to the other." The question of hybridity is one at 

 present coming to the front, and there is a growing belief 

 amongst botanists that more hybrids occur than have been 

 hitherto supposed. A writer in a number of last year's " Journal 

 of Botany " says he is as certain that willows hybridize with each 

 other as that two and two make four. It is certainly very con- 

 vincing when the matter has thus been tested and proved ; whilst 

 the theory most satisfactorily accounts for the multiple forms 

 which are met with. It must have been a great labour of research 

 on the part of the author to identity the plants described by 

 former botanists, and to assimilate them as far as possible with 

 ids own classification when such confusion of names has existed 

 and so many synonyms have arisen. 



After a perusal of the work, I prepared to examine and collect 

 our willows with a fresh enthusiasm, feeling certain of obtaining 

 some information of any willow I might collect. At the close of 

 the year 1891 Dr White very kindly undertook to critically 

 examine my collection, which was principally gathered on the 

 Nith between Thornhill and New Cumnock. He was delighted 

 to discover amongst my specimens two new hybrids, one, viz., a 

 cross between Purpurea and phylicifolia, which he had expected 

 should occvir, but had not yet met with. The plant has the 

 leaves of pliylicifolia and the stamens and scales of Purpurea. It 

 has been named "Secerneta." The other hybrid is of an unique 

 character, being bisexual, the lower portions of the catkins being 

 uniformly carpellary, and the upper portion staminate. Its sup- 

 posed pnrentage is Purpurea, Phylicifolia, and Auvita. As in 



