Botany of the Dahlia 2 7 



bracts of their involucre narrower, and also the scales 

 or palese. But notwithstanding these differences 

 there is every reason to believe that they have all 

 been developed from a common wild species. The 

 Double Cactus evidently was partially so developed in 

 Mexico before it was introduced to Europe. And the 

 so-called Single Cactus Dahlias were raised by Mr. 

 E. J. Lowe. F.B.S., of Chepstow, from an ordinary 

 single variety, Stella bianca by name, crossed with 

 pollen of D. Mercki. 



It would have proved most interesting had there 

 been a reliable record kept by those who have raised 

 the different forms of this most interesting plant, but 

 horticulturists are not noted for keeping correct 

 records of their doings, and consequently many im- 

 portant facts as to how new varieties of plants are 

 developed are lost to the scientific world. 



