Jx 



KOVAL HOItTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



u b. The origin of the modifications by crossing, seed, or di- 

 vision. 



" Under the first point of view we are obliged (Art. 14 and 19) 

 to class the modifications of cultivated plants, as of spontaneous 

 species, under subspecies, varieties, sub varieties, variations, and 

 sub variations. Every form of a certain importance is habitually 

 hereditary, as we have admitted that, heredity once established, 

 a subspecies is equivalent to a race (Art. 14), and that a variety 

 whose heredity is almost constant is a subrace. Variations and 

 subvariations still show some tendency to heredity. This system 

 is easily understood, though in practice we find many difficulties 

 in the classification of forms according to their value and con- 

 stancy. 



" The second point of view, that of origin, is at once more diffi- 

 cult and more important. "We have distinguished (Art. 12 and 

 14), as to origin, — 



"1. Hybrids, or products of two species. 



" 2. Half-breeds (metis), or products of two modifications of a 

 species. 



"3. Seedlings, or forms sprung from seed. 



" 4. Sports, or forms originating from a bud, tubercle, or other 

 organ by division or extension. 



" It is clear that seedlings may originate from cross-fecundation ; 

 but when this is not positively known, we must be contented 

 with the fact of the origination from seed. The word Seedling, if 

 it does not teach us much, is at least exact. Sports must originate 

 from certain causes, as an ancestor of a different form, an actual 

 or anterior influence of climate, &c. ; but the obscurity of these 

 causes is precisely what justifies the use of the word, on the prin- 

 ciple of not saying more than we know. 



" I do not suppose that any objection will be made to the use of 

 these words, which are widely diffused ; only there are doubts as 

 to the most convenient mode of naming hybrids, half-breeds, seed- 

 lings, and sports ; and it is on this point that I wish to present 

 some observations to the. Committee. 



" Hybrids and Half-breeds. 



" The practice of naming hybrids by a combination of paternal 

 and maternal names has been introduced into botany. This prac- 

 tice is philosophical ; but unfortunately some authors have placed 

 the name of the male parent first in the bracket, and others that 



