Origination of Varieties 223 



instance, it is now thought that amcena and plicata, 

 long classified as species, may be sports, the one from 

 variegata and the other from pallida. 



Crossing a hybrid with either of its parents (with 

 the same plant or with any plant produced from 

 such parent by division) increases the likelihood of 

 obtaining a plant having characters of that parent; 

 and the likelihood is increased, almost to a certainty, 

 by repeated crosses in successive generations with 

 such parent — provided crossing has not resulted in 

 sterility, which sometimes occurs and especially where 

 the parents are of species not closely allied (see 

 page 212). So, also, by crossing a seedling with 

 another vigorous seedling of the same cross, the desired 

 character of either parent of the seedlings may some- 

 times be obtained in combination with characters of 

 the other parent. 



* * * As flies the father-dust, 



The varied colors run; and while they break 

 On the charmed eye, the exulting Florist marks, 

 With secret pride, the wonders of his hand. 



Thompson: The Seasons. 



Oft expectation falls, and most oft there 

 Where most it promises; and oft it hits 

 W^here hope is coldest, and despair most sits. 



Shakespeare: All's Well That Ends Well. 



