BROMELIADS OBTAINED BY HYBRIDISATION. 329 
from the point of view of their artificial fertilisation. Of this number 
are the Encholirion (Vriesea) belonging to the types known under 
the name of Encholirion Saundersii, Younghi, coralinum, roseum, «ce. 
These plants, which botanists have merged into the genus Vriesea, are, 
however, quite distinct, since we experience very great difficulty indeed 
when we try to transform them by fertilising them with Vriesias of the 
type brachystachys or its varieties. {t has, nevertheless, been done by a 
skilful cultivator, M. Kittel, who fertilised Vriesea Barilleti with Vriesea 
(Encholirion) Saundersii, which gave him a plant named Vriesea Kitteliana, 
the appearance of which greatly resembles that of the male plant; but the 
bracts have been materially altered: they have inherited some colour 
and a more or less compact branching habit which is rather ornamental. 
Being desirous of further colouring these bracts, and so give them a more 
decorative appearance, I fertilised Vriesea Kitteliana by Vriesea Rex 
(Duval), and I at once attained my object by obtaining united bracts in 
the form of an erect spike, having five or seven ramifications of a very 
dark carmine red. The appearance of the plant is mixed, that is to 
say, between Vriesea Kitteliana and Vriesea Rex; but I must admit 
that the seedlings are not all so fine, and there are some which do not 
even equal the parents. The influence of Vriesea Barilleti (female) 
is possibly shown in a more marked degree, because it is already the 
grandfather of Vriesea Rex. One thing is certain, that by again fertilising 
Vriesea Kitteliana x Rex with Vriesea Rex we shall accentuate the red 
colour; but, on the other hand, we shall probably reduce the bifurcated 
form of the branches, as Vriesea Rex has a simple inflorescence, and not 
a subdivided one. But a much more curious point is that the majority of 
Vrieseas of the Rex type and their progeny show a tendency of giving to 
the second or third generation branched inflorescences, of which I am 
quite at a loss to give an explanation. 
A very peculiar cross is that which I made with Vriesea Rodigasiana, 
a small species with drooping green foliage, but of firm substance. The 
inflorescence is composed of subdivided bracts in the form of a loose 
spike, and far from ornamental. Fertilised with Vriesea Rex and VY. 
cardinalis, I obtained a variety to which I gave the name of Vriesea 
Vigeri, in honour of M. Viger, President of the National Horticultural 
Society of France. The result was quite extraordinary, as all the planis 
are strong, like Vriesea Rex, and give inflorescences composed of from 
eight to twelve subdivisions formed of bright red bracts, edged with 
yellow, and of a very ornamental effect. This fact, therefore, again 
strengthens my presumption that in the Vrieseas the male gives the 
colour, while the female seems to influence more the general habit. This 
is my idea, though it must not be regarded as an absolute rule ; still, the 
notes which I have carefully taken seem to confirm my opinion. 
If the Vrieseas cross rather easily with each other (notice I say, 
rather easily), the same is not the case with the Tillandsias: the peculiar 
shape of their reproductive organs, the manner in which they are inserted 
in the bottom of the often very deep calyx, and the quality of the pollen 
which only retains its fertilising properties for a few hours are sufficient 
obstacles to the artificial fertilisation of the Tillandsias. I do not think 
there are many instances of hybridisation effected with these plants ; 
