THE AMARYLLIS 275 



and C. asiatica. In the various crosses the traits 

 of the species of temperate zones generally 

 appeared to be prepotent or dominant. 



Interesting hybrids were produced by cross- 

 ing the Crinums, not with the members of the 

 Hippeastrum colony (this proving impossible), 

 but with the form of true amaryllis known as 

 Amaryllis belladonna. 



The hybrids thus produced were a very curious 

 lot. They seemed undecided whether to take on 

 the flat, strap-shaped leaves of the amaryllis or 

 the tunicate leaves of the other parent. The 

 compromise led to the production of a leaf with 

 a long curious neck. 



The flowers, like the plants themselves, may 

 be described as a balanced combination of the 

 qualities of the two parents. They are smaller 

 than the flowers of the amaryllis, and more 

 tubular, and in color they vary from white to 

 the deepest rosy crimson, light pink being the 

 most common color. The flowers of the ama-, 

 ryllis vary from rosy pink to crimson. 



Although the hybrids bloom somewhat abun- 

 dantly, they never produce a seed. These hybrid 

 plants may, of course, be propagated indefinitely 

 from the bulbs, constituting thus a permanent 

 variety. But they evidence the wide gap 

 between their parents in that they are sterile. 



