EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



clxi 



Supposed Bigcner between Dahlia and Helianthus. — Dr. 

 Scott exhibited flowers received from Mr. E. J. Lowe, of 

 Shirenewton Hall, Chepstow, of white Dahlias, the supposed 

 offspring of a cross between the ordinary single white Dahlia 

 and Helianthus decapetalus. The " cross " agrees with the Dahlia 

 in general appearance, and in the involucre, shape of receptacle, 

 paleae, external characters of the florets, and form of stigmas, 

 but differs as follows : The corolla-tubes of the disk florets, 

 especially the outer ones, are more ventricose ; the stamens 

 are shorter ; the pollen has blunt and obliquely truncated 

 prickles, and not conical as in the Dahlia ; the style also is shorter, 

 the stigmatic arms being less divergent, with shorter papilla?. 

 The above differences do not appear to amount to more than 

 may perhaps be seen on various seedlings of Dahlias. The fruits, 

 however, show more pronounced peculiarities, besides being only 

 one-fourth in quantity. The achenes are smaller, less com- 

 pressed, much less obovate in form, and have prominent ribs, 

 which are not evident in Dahlias. The achenes are also about 

 half as long. It may be added that neither in the pollen nor 

 in stigmatic character does the "cross" agree with Helianthus. 

 Mr. Lowe observes that in a cross it is often difficult to detect 

 the effects of the male parent, and mentions Fuchsia fulgens 

 crossed by " Semiramide" and the reverse cross, the seedlings 

 in both cases resembling the female. Other observers have 

 experienced the same fact, or, as Mr. Lowe expresses it, the 

 female parent " received life from the pollen without showing 

 traces of it, the active property of the male seeming to be enough 

 to produce seeds, but not to show the characters of the male." 



Apple Diseased (?). — A remarkable Apple, with a super- 

 ficially translucent appearance, was received from Mr. Marshall 

 of Bexley. Being possibly due to a fungus, it was forwarded to 

 Professor Ward for examination and report. 



Gar ex Species {?). — A plant was received from Mr. Robson, 

 of Altrincham, for name ; not being in flower, it was referred to 

 Chiswick for cultivation. 



Grapes attached by Larvce. — Some Grapes were received 

 from Mr. Galpin, of Putney Heath, with the supposed larvae of 

 Tortrix angustiorana. Some doubts being expressed by Mr. 

 McLachlan as to their identity, they were referred to Mr. Bland- 

 ford to rear and to report upon them later. 



