Notes and Gleanings. 371 



species on the offspring resulting from their union. In the case of grafts, however, 

 the scion does not derive any character from the stock (not an absolute rule this). 



" 8. The female flowers of hybrids, fertilized by the pollen of a normal species, 

 may yield fruits and fertile seeds : these seeds produce a second generation, the 

 individuals of which may either return exactly to one of the normal types, or 

 constitute hybrids of the second degree, having partly the characters of the 

 hybrid-mother, partly those of the hybrid-father plant. 



" 9. These hybrids of the second generation or degree may, in their turn, be 

 fertilized by pollen from a species, and yield ripe fruits and well-formed seeds, 

 returning, or not, to either of the normal types. 



" 10. Perennial hybrid plants are preserved as individuals, and may be multi- 

 plied by subdivision, cuttings, or grafts. Not so with hybrid annual plants : these 

 cannot, as a rule, be fertilized with their own pollen, but require pollen from the 

 species in order to ripen their fruits. Hence the following generation tends to 

 revert to the paternal type ; so that, after a time, the paternal element so prejx)n- 

 derates, that the hybrid ultimately reverts completely to the paternal type. This 

 generally happens in the third generation. 



" II. The maintenance of a hybrid form by generation can, therefore, only be 

 hoped for in those very rare cases wherein the hybrid-mother plant produces 

 fertile pollen capable of impregnating the female flowers. 



" 12. Crossed fertilization occurs in Nature generally from the agency of in- 

 sects (especially of bees), which carry the pollen from one flower to another. 

 Crossed fertilization or hybridism is rare among species : it is, however, common 

 between female flowers of crossed plants having imperfect or sterile stamens 

 fertilized with pollen from typical species." — Gardener'' s Chronicle. 



One of the most gorgeous shows of rhododendrons and other American 

 plants ever seen was furnished in June last by Messrs. Waterer and Godfrey of 

 Knaphill, at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Kensington. It occupied, 

 as usual, the monster tent in the eastern annexe ; but on this occasion the inte- 

 rior had been totally changed, and thrown into an irregular series of banks and 

 hollows. As floral exhibitions, these grand displays of rhododcndons and azaleas 

 are really enchanting. We may refer to a few recent kinds of striking beauty 

 which formed part of the show, — Caractacus, a rich purplish crimson, with 

 splendid truss, foliage, and habit; H. H. Hunnewell, a dark rich crimson, 

 splendid truss ; H. \V. Sargent, a magnificent crimson, an enormous truster, 

 with the Catawbiense habit ; James Bateman. a clear rosy scarlet, of the most 

 perfect shape and habit ; Mrs. John Glutton, of most exquisite shape, and one of 

 the most beautiful hardy white rhododendrons in cultivation ; Mrs. Milner, a rich 

 crimson, a first-rate kind ; I'urity, a handsome white, with faint yellow eye ; Sir 

 Thomas Sebright, a very distinct rich purple, with large bronze blotch, and one 

 which remains a long time in flower; and Stella, a pile rose, witli an intense 

 chocolate blotch on the upper petal, a free bloomer. These are all seedlings, 

 raised at Knaphill ; and, like the other varieties bred in that establishment for 

 many years past, are remarkable for their free habit, fine, bold, enduring foliage, 

 and close flower-trusses. 



