842 JOUENAL OF THE ROYAL HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The introduction of numerous beautiful hybrids by M. Latour-Marliac 

 directed my attention to the subject again, and, with a view to ascertain 

 how far my early observations applied to the new introductions, I sought 

 the assistance of Mr. Hudson. That gentleman has made a special 

 feature of the cultivation of these plants in Mr. de Rothschild's garden 

 at Gunnersbury, and he very kindly supplied me with numerous specimens 

 which have furnished the basis for the present communication. As, 

 omng to the lateness of the season, perfect leaves and flowers were not 

 always forthcoming, but only the stalks, it is possible that there may be 

 some confusion in the nomenclature of particular specimens which may 

 account for discrepancies ; moreover, the exact parentage of M. Latour- 

 Marliac's hybrids is not known in all cases ; nevertheless the arrangement 

 of their air-canals presents the same general modifications as I had 

 previously observed. 



A simpler plan of grouping than that previously adopted may be arrived 

 at by making two primary groups founded on the arrangement of the canals 

 in the flower-stalk. In all instances it will be found that the larger air-canals 

 in the peduncle or flower-stalk are arranged either in a radiating manner 

 round the axis of the stalk, or that they are placed in pairs side by side. 

 Minor subdivisions in each group may be established in accordance with 

 the varying arrangements of the tubes in the petiole or leaf-stalk. The 

 disposition of the smaller canals is less regular, and for the present 

 purpose may be disregarded. 



The arrangement now proposed is the following, and is illustrated in 

 the accompanying diagram : — 



A. Peduncle with five to six nearly equal canals radiating from the 

 centre. 



1. Petioles with four central canals, two large, two small : gloriosa, 



Laydekeri lilacea, stellata, micrantha, cyanea, Marliacea rosea, 

 tuber osa (sometimes) (as in A 1). 



2. Petioles with six central canals, two median large, four much 



smaller : Seigneureti, Bobinsoniana, Andreana, Marliacea 

 chromatella, lucida, gigantea (as in A 2). 



3. Petioles with two very large central canals : Lotus, dentata, rubra, 



devo7iiensis (as in B 3). 



