158 
BRITISH PLANTS. 
trate various desirable properties in one plant, there have been in comparison but 
few attempts to improve the wild productions of our own country. It is true they 
have not been wholly neglected ; but hybridizing has been confined almost exclu- 
sively to those kinds which manifest a decided tendency to sport naturally, and even 
since the process of artificial fertilization has been so much more fully understood 
and effectively practised on plants before unthought of, the attempts with native 
species have still been rare. 
We are far from believing, however, that the art of hybridizing and cross- 
breeding is yet but partially developed in regard of the extent to which it is 
practicable. The barrier at first placed to its range has already in some instances 
been broken down, for we are now in the possession of varieties produced betwixt 
plants of different genera. It seems reasonable to infer from this that the species 
of several allied genera may be induced to mix, especially such as belong to 
Labiatae, LeguminosaB, Lobeliacese, and other natural groups, the genera of which 
possess many remarkable traits in common. And should the inference, that this 
capacity may ultimately be found to exist more extensively, be substantiated, a vast 
field will be opened for exertion, especially with a view to combine the showy cha- 
racters of some of the inmates of our greenhouses and stoves, with the hardy nature 
of indigenous kinds. But waving the matter of mingling plants of different families, 
if we confine ourselves merely to uniting species of the same genus, we shall find 
much room for enquiry and experiment, and with increased probability of success. 
We do not, however, mean to assert, that any two species even of the same genus 
may be joined in this manner, for the repeated trials of the florist have hitherto 
been baffled with many, and a question consequently attaches itself to the circum- 
stance. Failures are not always evidences of the impossibility of a thing ; much 
needful data may be wanting to ensure a successful result. 
In urging our plea for the attempt to concentrate the hardihood of native plants 
with the showier flowers of their more tender kindred, we shall perhaps be better 
understood if we adduce a few exemplifications. Our moors and mountains furnish 
us with two pretty plants, which produce seed plenteously, and are often admitted 
to the garden, the Erica Tetralix and E. cinerea. Now, varieties raised between 
different kinds of Cape Heaths are far from uncommon, and there is no apparent 
obstacle to prevent the production of varieties combining the hardier character of 
our example with the more specious qualities of some of the latter ; and thus in 
process of time, confer on our pleasure-gardens an interminable diversity of novel 
and interesting hybrids. The Linum anglicum may probably unite with L. trigynum ; 
the brilliant-flowering Veronica Chamcedrys may be tried with the V. speciosa, to 
obtain a better foliage ; the little Oxalis acetosella with the 0. Bowieana ; the pro- 
strate Antirrhinum cymbalaria with its more gaudy congeners ; the Primula farinosa 
with P. prcenitens ; and we are aware of no impediment that should hinder the pro- 
duction of a Water-Lily partaking of the splendour of the Nyniphcea rubra, or N. 
carulea, and the loveliness of the common species that floats on our lakes and ponds. 
