Porutar anp GeoarapHicat Notice. The genus Cytisus closely 
borders upon Genista. In Cytisus the calyx has the upper lip near- 
ly entire, while in Genista it is divided; in Cytisus the standard is 
large and ovate, in Genista oblong or oval; in Cytisus the stamens and 
pistil are completely enclosed in the keel, in Genista imperfectly so. 
The leaves in all the species of Cytisus are ternate, in most Geniste 
they are simple. It appears, that the flowers of this variety are liable 
to change, not only to those of Cytisus Lebaginm but also to those of 
Cytisus purpureus. An instance of this is stated to have happened in 
the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris; see Gardener’s Magazine, Vol. 12. 
Similar changes have occurred in other places; and it is further 
observed, (page 369) that “Some of the blossoms produced by this 
hybrid in the Horticultural Society’s Garden were this year completely, 
and others partially, yellow.” These facts are of great importance 
to the vegetable physiologist, as they tend to throw light upon the 
hitherto very obscure subject of specific identity. At present, nei- 
ther Botanists or Zoologists are able to give a satisfactory account 
of what a species realy is, or to tell us within what limits it may 
vary; and nothing is so likely to lead us to a knowledge of those 
laws, by which the great Author of Nature has regulated and re- 
stricted the shapes of both animals and vegetables between certain 
typical forms, as experiments carefully made, and the results ac- 
curately recorded, of the circumstances which attend the produc- 
tion and cultivation of hybrid plants. The seeds of Cytisus Labur- 
num contain a vegetable principle, called Cyrisin, which is poison- 
ous: which it will probably be found to exist in the seeds of this plant. 
INTRODUCTION; WHERE GRowN; CuLTore. This hybrid originated 
- near Paris, about the year 1824, and was introduced into England in 
1830. Our drawing was made in May, from luxuriant specimens of the 
plant obligingly sent us by J. C. Kent, Esq. of Levant Lodge, Upton-on- 
Severn. These were produced from a bud of the hybrid variety, which 
had been worked on a stock of the common Laburnum only two years 
previously. It has the air of Laburnum, but is said to be more lux- 
uriant in its growth, and to make straight shoots of 6 to 9 feet long in 
one season. 
DERIVATION OF THE Names. 
Cytisus is said to be derived from Cythnus, = of the islands of the Cyclades, 
where some of the species were first observed, and which are mentioned by Hip- 
pocrates, Theophrastus and Dioscorides. loveuues is stated by Haller to be 
a latinized form of the alpine name L’Aubours. 
SYNONYMES. 
Orrees Lazurnvum, flore purpureo. Hortulanorum, 
