ON FLOWER POSSIBILITIES 



the same combination of hereditary factors 

 together. 



When we consider the matter in this light, it 

 will be evident that all poUenizing experiments 

 are in a sense hybridizing experiments in one 

 degree or another, inasmuch as they all of neces- 

 sity bring together pollen grains and ovules that 

 vary somewhat, even if only in very minor degree, 

 in their hereditary factors. 



But it remains true — and indeed is too 

 obviously true to require comment — that the case 

 of the pollen grains united with pistils on flowers 

 of the same plant (the case, that is to say, of the 

 heuchera under consideration) is that in which 

 there is the least possible degree of variation 

 between the two sets of elementary factors that 

 are combined. 



Therefore this process of so-called inbreeding 

 introduces the least possible disturbing elements, 

 and gives the largest probability of the reproduc- 

 tion of any given trait of the mother plant — which 

 in this case is the father plant as well. 



The practical results have been already illus- 

 trated in the production of this new race of 

 heuchera with leaves crinkled and corrugated in 

 unique fashion so that they differ fundamentally 

 from the characteristic leaves of any other species 

 or variety. 



[19] 



