HOWARD, HOWARD AND ABDUR RAHMAN 



211 



No. 217 (blue flowers). In this, three pale blues appeared which, split 

 next year into 8 blue and 342 pale blue, 4 blue and 133 pale blue and 4 blue 

 and 278 pale blue. 



A similar experience occurred in 1918. In 232 cultures from unbagged 

 seed a total of 15 stray plants were found in nine of these cultures. In all pro- 

 bability many of these are natural crosses. 



These examples are sufiicient to show that natural crossing is more com- 

 mon in Indian linseed than would be supposed from a study of the flower. The 

 cases are sufficiently numerous to make it clear that in exact work with this 

 crop all seed must be raised under bag. This does not interfere with setting 

 and as far as our observations go there is no falling off in vigour produced 

 thereby. 



2. Taramira or duan. 



Taramira or duan {Eruca saliva Lam.) is a common cold weather oil seed 

 crop in the drier areas of North -AVest India, where it is commonly grown mixed 

 with gram or barley. The oil is used for lighting purposes and to a great extent 

 as human food. The inflorescence is a corymbose raceme, the petals are 

 greenish yellow with dark, often purple veins and the pods, which contain 

 numerous light reddish brown seeds, are closely adpressed to the stem. 



Fig. 2. Long and short styles in the flowers of Eruca saliva. 



Pollination. The flowers open in the morning bstween^O a.m. and 12 noon 

 remaining open for about three days. Nectar begins to be secreted some time 

 after opening takes place and is produced freely on the second and third days* 



