392 On a Hybrid "Amaryllis, 



organs, and capable of propagating itself, it may perbaps be 

 fairly doubted, if the parent plants were originally distinct. 

 Whether Providence originally created one species of Ama- 

 ryllis, whose seedlings, becoming gradually disseminated over 

 extensive regions within, or bordering upon, the tropics, and 

 differing in elevation, temperature, soil, and more or less hu- 

 mid climate, assumed, in the course of ages, varied forms and 

 colours of leaves, and corolla, constituting striking distinc- 

 tions ; or whether it created, simultaneously, many individuals 

 of the same genus, differing enough in external appearance 

 to be classed botanically as species, but formed in the same 

 mould as to the organs of reproduction, and therefore 

 capable of breeding together, are questions which I cannot 

 presume to answer. In the expectation, however, of throw- 

 ing some faint light upon the subject, I hope hereafter to 

 transmit you some specimens of the unadulterated progeny 

 of Amaryllis Regina-vittata, as the seedlings are making 

 progress here. We may perhaps, in time, be able to arrive 

 at a knowledge of the law which governs these new produc- 

 tions, and decide whether they are permanent or fugitive 

 varieties. That they are beautiful acquisitions to our collec- 

 tions there is no doubt. I have raised some new crosses this 

 spring, of whose magnificence I have sanguine expectations. 



Believe me, dear Sir, 



ffighclere, near Newbury, 

 9th May, 1823. 



most faithfully yours, 



James Robert Gowen. 



