XXll PREFACE. 



them, which were gradually developed into buds, and these 

 were developed in the second year into shoots, all but 

 one of which, were C. purpureus. This one shoot had 

 grown much thicker, and exhibited a form intermediate 

 between C. alpinus and C.purpureus; this shoot was the 

 parent of the C. Adami of gardens. Unfortunately, this 

 report does not state from what source H. Schnittspahn 

 himself derived his knowledge of these circumstances at- 

 tending the origin of C. Adami. Since C. Adami possesses 

 undoubtedly the nature of a hybrid, if Schnittspahn's 

 information be correct, this plant will furnish the ex- 

 traordinary case of a hybridation in a vegetative way, 

 (conceivable as occurring through a fertilising action of 

 the cells of the graft upon the primitive cell of an adven- 

 titious bud,) and its return into the two parent species, 

 within the vegetative region, would then correspond to 

 the vegetative origin. That hybridation is not in any 

 way unusual in the genus Cytisiis, is proved by a mag- 

 nificent hybrid, between C. purpureus and C. elongatus, 

 which is now, while I write these lines, in most beautiful 

 blossom in the Botanical garden of our High School. 

 It was obtained from the brothers Baumann of Bollwiller, 

 in whose catalogue for 1847, it is given as " C.purpureo- 

 elongatus (nobis), une nouvelle hybride superbe." In 

 form and hairiness of the leaves it resembles C. elongatus; 

 in the form of the calyx, more C. purpureus. The colour 

 of the flowers is a mixture of light-yellow and pale rose- 

 red, the standard being of the latter colour, the wings 

 and keel of the former ; when withered or dry, the red 

 colour becomes stronger and almost like that of Cytisus 

 Adami. The blossoms keep fresh a long time, but set no 

 fruit. Messrs. Baumann were kind enough to furnish 



