THE EVOLUTION OF PLANTS. 
35 
1;endres ' {Triticum sativimi) from a ' Ble diir ^ {T. durum) and a ' Poulard ' 
{T. turgidum) seems to show that the different forms of VVlieat are 
descended from a smgle species." These forms thus spoken of have been 
regarded as perfectly distinct species, and, according to the view expressed 
by Mons. H. de Vilmorin, they must he species evolved by artificial 
selection. They appear to me to behave quite in the manner of distinct 
species when crossed. (See p. 28.) 
Lobelia Erinits. — If the variety spcciosa is a derived plant, as I 
beheve, I can vouch for the fact that Veitcli's stock comes very true from 
seed. 
■CamiKtnula Medium calycanthcma. Vouched by Mr. F. W. Burbidge. 
Celosia cristata, the Cockscomb. Vouched by Mr. F. W. ]>urbidge. 
'Chelidonium majus laciniatum. From Prof, de Vries. 
'Chrysanthemum segetum fistulosnm. From Prof, de Vries. 
Juncus effusus spiralis. Observed true from seed by Mr. Lindsay, of 
Edinburgh, and myself. 
Pisum sativum umhellatum. Own experience for number of years. 
Polemonium cceruleum fastigiatum. 
Strcptocarpus Bexii Peloria. Piaised by myself for a number of years 
lin succession. It originated in the Cambridge Botanic Garden. 
A bnormahty may well be described as variation which Nature does 
not find useful. It is a condition w^e know of only by comparison with 
■usual structure. 
Kaces that Revert. 
Mons. Mottet instances the following as " known to revert in a few 
: generations " : — 
It is necessary here to observe that deterioration is not the same as 
reversion to original parent. The garden Pea, for instance, according to 
De Candolle, has never been found wild, and he says it is perhaps only a 
modification of Pisum arvense, obtained by cultivation. In this case I 
think it may be a very good example of a species evolved in cultivation. 
Mr. J. W. Moss, seed grower, of Feering, in Essex, gives me a case of 
complete reversion in precise terms so far as rogues are concerned. He 
says : " We have found Broccoli to revert entirely to a wild state and cease 
to produce anything whatever of a head." From the same gentleman I 
have valuable information which comes under this section. He says : 
" I believe all the Crucifers are much alike in this respect, except, perhaps, 
1000-headed Kale, Rape, and a few of such commoner varieties which 
one would imagine have advanced but little from the original Onions I 
'have found to degenerate very soon, and many bull-necked plants appear 
which form no bulb, and which look very much like reverting. Lettuce, 
Beet, and some Peas very soon go back, to become almost unrecognisable, 
•especially Beet. Some Peas of the finest and best varieties continually 
Abnormalities that come True from Seed. 
Radishes 
Turnips 
Carrots 
Melons 
Squashes 
Cucumbers 
Peas 
French Beans. 
D 2 
