By the Hon. and Rev. William Herbert. 47 



(which T call intermedia) so exactly intermediate between 

 G. lotifolia and G. pubescens, that I cannot doubt the pos- 

 sibility of obtaining a similar plant by their intermixture. 



An attention to hybrid productions will be found to con- 

 firm the general accuracy of the Linnean system, while it 

 will tend to correct many errors that have been made by 

 Botanists, and shew the necessity of paying greater attention 

 in the classification of plants to the seed and internal struc- 

 ture of the capsule. 



The figures of Gladiolus tristi-hirsutus, G. tristi-blandus, 

 and G. ringente-tristis, annexed hereto, will afford a speci- 

 men of what may be done in hybrid productions, but I have 

 later mules of the same genus, more exquisitely speckled, 

 and with higher colours. Those which have been blended 

 with Gladiolus cardinalis are amongst the most beautiful 

 and conspicuous plants in my garden, and produce a blaze 

 of bloom iu the American borders, after the Rhododendrons 

 and Azaleas are passed. 



I hope that this report of the progress of my experiments, 

 however imperfect, may throw some light upon the mysteries 

 of the vegetable kingdom. I must refer those who may wish 

 to intermingle species of Amaryllidene to my division of the 

 genera, in the forty-seventh Volume of the Botanical Maga* 

 zi?ie, now publishing. 



I am, dear Sir, 



Yours very truly, 



William Herbert. 



Spofcrth, Xm ember 29, 1819. 



