123 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON HYBRIDS. 



I sow give some notes on hybrids or reputed hybrids, which may be useful for 

 reference. Very little attention has been given to the subject even yet, and I 

 confidently predict that the botanist of the early future will repair this omission. 

 Reference may be made to the hybrids to which names have been given for the species 

 mentioned as reputed parents. 



At a meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales held on 5th November, 

 1919, I exhibited coloured drawings of the first hybrid Eucalypts that have been raised 

 in Australia by the direct action of the plant-breeder. The Algerian and other hybrids 

 hitherto described are the results of accidents, plants having been selected in the 

 plantation that could only have arisen as the result of the proximity of certain pairs of 

 species. Some of the reputed natural hybrids referred to in Australian literature may 

 or may not be true; to say that they are so seems justified by the facts in regard to a 

 number of them. These artificial hybrids are the work of Mr. C. J. Weston, Afforesta- 

 tion Officer, Federal Territory, Canberra. They are — 



A. — E. macrorrhyncha x Maideni, 



B. — E. rubida x melliodora, the former being the pollen parent in each case. 



They were pollinated on 8th February, 1918, and 9th December, 1917, 

 respectively. My specimen of "A." died in May last, when the seedling was 2 inches 

 high. Of :: B. " I have two plants, 1 If and 12 inches high on 1st November, 1919. They 

 will be described in detail on a future occasion. 



1. E. affinis Deane and Maiden. 



The parents are assumed to be E. sideroxylon and E. hemiphloia, var. Mens. 

 See Part XIII, 101-3. 



Fruits of this species may vary in size from 7 to 15 mm. in length. The average 

 is about 10 mm. There are in the National Herbarium, Sydney, specimens which 

 depart from the type. Amongst these may be enumerated — ■ 



(a) Murrurundi, N.S.W. (J. H. Maiden and J. L. Boorman, May, 1902), with 

 leaves as small as those of the type and also much longer and broader. In thess 

 specimens the pedicellate character is emphasised. Thess trees grow in the vicinity of 

 E. melliodora. 



(b) Grattai, Mudgee district, New South Wales (J. L. Boorman and A. Murphy). 

 In this district there are two forms, with small fruits as depicted in figures 4ra and 46, 

 Plate 57, and one with leaves coarser than those of the type, and with fruits as large 

 as those of the type, but globular, rather than pear-shaped. 



