330 The Botanical Gazette. [October, 
stant in any one direction to give rise to new species, or even to well 
marked varieties—CuHarLEes W. Haraitt, Syracuse University, Syra- 
cuse, IV. Y. 
Cross and self-fertilization.—In a series of experiments, still in pro- 
gress at this college, on the fertilization of the common petunia, the 
following results were obtained from the first generation. ~ 
One dozen petunias of equal vigor were selected from the green- 
house cuttings, and put into pots of equal size, and subjected to exact- 
ly the same conditions. About half of the plants were the dull pur- 
ple variety, nearly the original type, while the others were variegated 
and somewhat modified. Each blossom was very carefully excluded 
from accidental fertilization, by being tied in a paper bag, or by hav- 
ing the corolla tied together tightly until the capsule had begun tode- 
velop. : : 
There were three series of experiments. The blossoms of series I 
were self-fertilized; those in series II were fertilized from other blos- 
soms on the same plant; and in series III they were fertilized from 
other plants. : 
Series I bore capsules averaging 1.8 centigrams in weight, series i 
bore capsules averaging 2.7 cgms. in weight, and series III bore cap 
sules averaging 4.1 cgms. : 
In series I and III, the seeds of the plain purple and the variegated 
specimens were weighed separately, showing the variegated t0 | 
lighter. In series I the purple weighed 0.7 cgm. more than the vane 
gated in the same series. In series III the purple bore capsules 02 
cgm. heavier than the variegated in the same series. j 
It was also noted that many more capsules in series III develope 
and ripened perfectly than in either series I or II; while series I ae 
ed the smallest percentage of capsules. Owing to various acciden 
no definite figures could be obtained to show the exact proportions: 
Thus it may be inferred that even in the first generation the a 
orating effects of self- fertilization are plainly shown, and also pans 
dency of much modified plants to decline in vigor and produc 
ness ; 89, 
Darwin, in his book on cross and self-fertilized plants, es ie 
says: “In crossing six blossoms, there were six seed pede ee 
duced, weighing 4.44 grains; while six others were self-fertilized, P 
ducing only three capsules weighing but 1.49 grains.” — es with 
This experiment is interesting from the fact that It agre REED, 
Darwin’s very similar experiment on the same plants.—MINNIE 
State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kas. 
