820 PHENOMENA OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION. 



The characteristics of the parent-forms are as a rule so transmitted to the 

 hybrid that the influence of both is manifested in all its characters, producing a 

 fusion of the different pecuharities. This is more evident in the species- than in 

 the variety-hybrids ; in the latter some of the non-essential characters of the parents 

 sometimes present themselves in the offspring uncombined side by side ; e. g. various 

 kinds of streaks and blotches instead of a mixing of the colours of the flowers. Thus 

 a hybrid which Sageret obtained from Cucumis Chate (female) with C. Melo Canta- 

 lupiis (which had a reticulated flesh) had a yellow fiesh, a reticulate marking of the 

 rind and moderately prominent ribs like the male parent, but white seeds and an 

 acid flavour like the female parent. Another hybrid from the same species had, on 

 the contrary, the sweet flavour and yellow flesh of the male, with the white seeds and 

 smooth rind of the female parent. To this category belongs also the hybrid of 

 Cytisiis Lahurnwn and purpureus [known as Cylisus Adami\ some of the branches 

 of which partially or entirely resembled one and some of them the other parent-form. 

 I have found what seemed to be a hybrid Aiitirrhinum majus, in which the inflor- 

 escence bore on one side of the axis only dark-red, on the other side only yellow 

 flowers, while between the two halves stood a single flower which was half red and 

 half yellow. 



In addition to its inherited properties, the hybrid usually possesses characters of 

 its own by which it is distinguished from both its parent-forms. One of these new 

 characters, which occurs especially with variety-hybrids, is the tendency to vary more 

 strongly than its parent-forms. Species-hybrids are usually weak in their sexual 

 properties; those derived from nearly related parent-species are, on the other hand, 

 more vigorous in their growth than their parent-forms, while hybrids resulting from 

 the union of species less nearly related are generally feebler in their development. 

 The luxuriant growth of the hybrids from nearly allied species is displayed in their 

 taller and stouter stems, more copious root-system, and larger number of shoots 

 (stolons, scions, &c.). Hybrids have also a tendency to a longer duration of Hfe ; 

 those of annual or biennial parent-forms often live a number of years, probably in 

 consequence of their producing a smaller number of seeds. Hybrids are also 

 characterised by commencing to flower earlier, and continuing to do so longer and 

 more abundantly, than the parent-forms ; sometimes they produce an extraordinary 

 number of flowers, which are also larger, more enduring, and of brighter colour and 

 stronger odour. They have also a tendency to become double, their staminal and 

 carpellary leaves to increase in number and develope into petals. Along with this 

 luxuriant vegetative growth, the sexual organs are usually weak, and this in every 

 possible degree. ' The stamens,' says Nageli, ' are, it is true, in some cases perfect 

 externally, but partially or altogether infertile, the pollen-grains not attaining their 

 proper development ; while in others the stamens are altogether abortive and reduced 

 to rudiments. The pistils (gynaeceum) of hybrids are in most cases not distinguish- 

 able externally from those of the parent species, but their ovules have no power, or 

 only to a slight degree, of becoming fertilised ; no embryonic vesicles are formed, 

 or the embryo which begins to be developed from the embryonic vesicles perishes 

 sooner or later. Under favourable circumstances, when fertile seeds are produced, 

 their number is smaller, and they manifest a certain degree of feebleness in their slow 

 germination and the short duration of this capacity.' The feebleness of the sexual 



