32 STl'DIKS IN INDIAN FIIIRK PI. AN'TS. 



for i;r<)\vin^' on in tlie following yciir Init in all cases those plants 

 1)10(1 absolutely true and the proficny was uniform. 



Tbo flowtM-s open late in the inorniiifi; and close at midday, 

 iemainin<i open for not more than three hours. The stigmas are 

 throughout flush with the opening of the staminal column and do 

 not grow into the air as in the case of H. cannabinus. The fila- 

 ments are verv short and the anthers burst round the opening of 

 the column. Self-pollination is favoured by these arrangements 

 and the completion of the process is brought about by the closing 

 of the flower. (Plate V.) It will be .seen that the difTerences 

 in the pollination mechani.sm between this species and H. can- 

 nabinus are verv slight l)ut sufficient, in the present case, to prevent 

 practically any cross-fertilization. 



The peduncle of the flower is longer and much more supple 

 than in //. cannabinus. Emasculation and artificial cross-ferti- 

 lization present no difficulties and this species also sets .seed fairly 

 readily under bag. 



3. Dkscrii'tiox of the varieties. 

 Four ditl'erent forms in all have been isolattul by us and these 

 have bred true. As the differences are very distinct and are of a 

 morphological nature rather than agricultural, we have formed 

 the following four varieties : — 



1. Var. ruber. 



Stem and petiole entirely red. pulvimis red, caly.x red, flowers 

 on withering turn pink. 



2. N'ak. (tlliiis. 



Stem and petiole green, pnlvinus green, calyx yelluwish, 

 flowers on withering remain yellow. 



3. Var. intermedins. 



Stem and petiole green with some red, pnlvinus red, calyx 

 yellowish green, flowers on withering remain yellow. 



