CXXXV1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HOBTICULTUEAI SOCJBTY.' 



appears to have been hitherto overlooked. He also examined 

 the foliage of the dwarf plant, sister to the above cross. The 

 anatomical details exhibited a very considerable amount of arrest 

 of structure, the number of cells being nearly twice ihat of the 

 Rhododendron in consequence of their minute size, with fewer 

 stomata. It also agreed in most other respects, both with 

 the sister-cross as well as with the Rhododendron, except that 

 the shape was more elliptical, and possessed glandular hairs 

 instead of peltate scales. It was observable that this cross fol- 

 lowed the supposed rule that the female parent imparted its 

 likeness to the foliage, while the male parent supplied that of 

 the flowers. Mr. Henslow observed that in the 150 hybrids and 

 crosses raised by Mr. Yeitch, amongst seven East Indian species 

 of Rhododendron, the rule was found to fail entirely, in that 

 each parent would impart certain peculiarities either to the 

 flowers or leaves, according to its own prepotency, but the cause 

 of such a power was at present unknown. 



Reversion in Potatoes.— At a meeting of the Scientific Com- 

 mittee on November IB, 1888, Mr. W. G. Smith exhibited a 

 Potato which was the result of a reversion. Mr. Fenn had 

 crossed two long sorts of Kidney Potatoes — viz., Early Cold- 

 stream and the Early Ashleaf. The result was a globular form 

 which he called W. G. Smith. After eighteen years, during 

 which this had come true, one plant suddenly reverted to the 

 original type. The specimen exhibited was 5^ inches long, the 

 round one being about 2i inches in diameter. Mr. Henslow planted 

 these tubers in March 1889, and the round Potato yielded 

 only 1 lb. 8 oz. of small tubers ; the long one, planted by the 

 side of it, gave 6 lbs. of large-sized tubers. Not only were the 

 tubers true to their kinds, but the foliage was very distinct. 



Clematis Vitalba. — Mr. Henslow exhibited a photograph of, 

 and described a plant of the Traveller's Joy, or Old Man's Beard, 

 which grows in his garden near Drayton Green, Ealing. It is 

 evidently of great age, as the stem at the base is about 9 inches 

 in circumference. From this proceed several thick branches ; 

 half of the plant then spreads over a thick Holly hedge about 

 5 to 8 feet in height. The Clematis extends to about 30 feet 

 each wa , completely covering it with foliage and dense masses 

 of blosssom. One branch crosses an arched trellis, and climbs 

 to the roof of the house, whence, intermingling with Virginian 



