ALSTRCEMERIA AXD TROP^OLUM. 



159 



the trvo-coloured varieties, as well as the seedlings of A. Cummmgiana 

 from imported seeds, should render botanists very cautious not to multiply 

 species too freely, on the appearance of such diyersities in natural specimens 

 from different localities, which makes it very difficult to fix on the true 

 distinguishing features.'^ 



In this opinion we most cordially agree with the ahoTC high authority ; 

 and only wonder how some botanists have been led astray, in estabhsh- 

 ing, as species, what, in reaUty, are only Tarieties. The day is probably not 

 far distant when all specific distinctions wiU ]>e entirely exploded. The 

 system of giving a Latin specific name to hybrid varieties is also much to 

 be reprobated. This system has unfortunately^ to a certain extent, been 

 followed by M. de CandoUe, and most extensively employed by the late 

 Mr. Sweet, much to the confusion of science, and tending greatly, in om^ 

 opinion, to bring scientific botanical nomenclature and arrangement into 

 contempt, rather than the reverse. We might as weU dignify with scientific 

 names, every variety of dahlia, pink, or tuhp, as some of the hybrid 

 Alstroemeria, Amaryllis, Calceolaria ; — ^florist's names, where they are not 

 coarse and vulgar, ai'e much more fitting. 



In continuation of the above quotation, Mr. Herbert adds, — " Little at- 

 tention is to be paid to the length of the style in Alstrcsmeria ; its ma- 

 turity is very tardy : it is very short at first, grows out slowly, and at last 

 the stigma, which had appeared to be simple, expands and becomes trifid 

 and patent. The anthers discharge their poUen long before the maturity 

 of the style. The late development of the stigma should make the genus 

 ver\^ Uable to spontaneous intermixtures of the species, but render it diiS- 

 cult to obtain aitificial crosses. I failed in getting seed at aU from an 

 attempt to fertilize the red pelegrina by the white, which must have 

 arisen from having neglected the proper moment for fertihzing the style, 

 or for selecting the poUen.'' 



TROP-^:OLrM. 



The perennial species of this genus require the same treatment as the 

 last. Being climbing plants of very slender habits, it is well to place in 

 each pot a branch of some deciduous tree for them to be trained to. We 

 cannot admire the common-place manner in which they are trained to wire 

 frames, which always gives them a stiff and formal appearance, and is 

 both more expensive and troublesome than by allowing them to ramble in 

 a natural manner up the small t^igs of a properly selected branch. 



