ON THE CULTIVATION OF ONCOCYCLUS IRISES. 



323 



undisturbed for long years together, and only when this comes off shall we 

 really understand what their surprising beauty is like. It is noticeable 

 about them that when they do well they do very well indeed ; it is all 

 neck or nothing, so to say, on their part. Let us hope that their secrets 

 are now sufficiently disclosed, and that, after many years of great trouble 

 which they have gi^'en, they will now, at last, be f[uite contented with 

 their lot, and will graciously and liberally reward us for our pains. 



Post-scriptum. — The figures are given of two very beautiful and 

 interestitig hybrids between the Oncocyclus and Pogoniris groups. 

 Fig. 171, Iris ' Paravar ' x, is a cross between I. paradoxa and 

 /. variegata, and in colour it resembles a dark form of /. yaradoxa 

 called violacea, though its other parent is disclosed in certain brown and 

 tawny markings of the flower. Fig. 112, Iris ' Alkmene ' x , is a cross 

 between I. ijaradoxa and I. Sivertii. It is not unlike ' Paravar,' but has 

 somewhat more brown in its colouring, particularly on the falls. It is 

 hoped that these hybrids may prove easier of cultivation than the 

 admittedly difficult Oncocyclus group. 



