HYBRIDISATION AND ITS FAILURES. 719 
Bi-GENERIC FarnurEs.—lIf species of the same genus, but natives of 
widely distinct countries, often refuse to cross; d fortiori, would it be 
anticipated that genera of the same order would fail? The genus 
Hippeastrum has been used for attempted crosses with other genera from 
warm countries, of the order Amaryllidacee. Thus, it has failed with 
Sprekelia, the former being of tropical and South America; the latter— 
a monotypic form—of Mexico. 
Hippeastrum has’ failed to produce healthy progeny with Clivias of 
South Africa. Mr. Wright observes: ‘This attempted cross was success- 
ful so far as the actual cross went; but the progeny were so weak that the 
seedlings only lived: about a year. This proved to be the case with three 
distinct lots of seeds.”’ 
M. Rodigas, of Ghent, makes a suggestive observation: “The decay . 
in the persistent leaves of many plants of Clivia may be attributable to 
the employment of pollen from Amaryllis and Hippeastrum, the leaves 
of which are deciduous.” * 
Hippeastrum has also failed with Vallota and Hemanthus, both of 
South Africa. Attempts have been made to unite Hippeastrum with 
Urceolina (Andes) and Pancratiwm (Mediterranean regions) without 
success; but as these genera belong to a different sub-tribe, as well as 
widely different countries, the probability of their having any physio- 
logical or constitutional affinity was proportionally diminished. Similarly, 
attempts to cross Griffinia, allied to Hippeastrum, with Hucharis and 
Urceolaria failed. 
Of other genera of the Amaryllidacee of widely different countries that 
have failed are Amaryllis Belladonna (South Africa) with Lycoris (Japan, 
China, &c.). 
Of two genera of the same _ sub-tribe—Cyathifere—Pancratium 
canariense failed with Hucharis grandiflora (Andes). 
But genera from the same country may fail, as Cyrtanthus with 
Vallota, genera closely allied and both of South Africa. Similarly, 
Zephyranthes brachyandrum has failed to cross with Hippeastrum 
stylosum, H. sub-barbatum, H. equestre, and H. vittatwm, though 
these two genera are very closely allied; but while Zephyranthes are 
natives of tropical and sub-tropical America, Hippeastrwm belongs to 
South America. 
Crinum and Amaryllis (gen. Nos. 26 and 27 in “‘ Gen. PIl.”’) have failed 
to cross as far as the following species are concerned: C. Moorei, 
C. fimbriatulum, and C. zeylanicum. F 
A large number of bi-geners have been attempted at the Utrecht 
Botanic Gardens, but without results. The following is a selection : 
Helleborus x Caltha, Caltha x Eranthis, Caltha x Nymphea, Caltha x 
Peonia, Fuchsia x @nothera, Bellis x Cineraria, Hemerocallis x Lilium, 
Pancraticum x Crinum, Phalienopsis x Vanda, &e. 
Of other genera in which the morphological characteristics would 
warrant an d priort probability of success in crossing, but failed on 
practice, is Streptocarpus x Didyncarpus ; but while the former genus 
* Gard. Chron. Jan. 5, 1895, p. 16. 
t Other failures among genera of Amaryi~LIpace® are Elisena longipetala x 
Hymenocallis calathina; of Irtpex, Cypella plumteax Herbertia pulchella, Iris 
Robinsoniana x Marica cerulea; of AroipE®, Alocasia x Caladium. 
