120 Atavism. 



the selection of seeds from tlie palest examples of the 

 striped forms. 



Convoh'ulus tricolor was the first species in which 

 this mode of origin of the striped form was observed 

 (1840). It was followed by Gomphrcna globosa, Antir- 

 rhinum majiis album and liLtewn, Ncmophila insignis, Por- 

 tiilacca grand i flora, and others. Of recent years a large 

 number of blotched varieties have been obtained in vari- 

 ous nurseries ; and always, so far as is known, in the 

 same way, by so-called partial reversion of a white or 

 yellow variety to the red or blue color of the parent 

 species. 



In the following sections we will therefore examine 

 in detail some cases of striped flowers as instances of 

 physiological atavism. 



§14. ANTIRRHINUM MAJUS STRIATUM. 

 (With Plate I.) 



Amongst the numerous cultivated varieties of the 

 Snapdragon one group is distinguished by the possession 

 of striped flowers. A bed of these produces a fine and 

 varied show of color. On the other hand the horticul- 

 turist's handbooks state that, whilst the remaining sorts 

 are practically constant, the striped ones leave much to be 

 desired in this respect.^ Such a statement naturally in- 

 vites the investigator to inquire into the mode of inheri- 

 tance of this character. 



The striped varieties owe their character to the fact 

 that the normal red color of the wild snapdragon is con- 

 fined to broader or narrower longitudinal stripes. Where 

 the red is absent the pure color of the background be- 

 comes visible. This may be either white, rose, yellow 



*ViLMORiN*s Blumeng'drtnerei, 3d Ger. ed., Vol. T. 1896, p. y^. 



