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type, is a perplexing fact, baffling our powers of investigation. 
A similar remark may be made, in reference to a passage 
(page 90) in the recently-published work of Mr. Darwin, on 
the different forms of flowers. He says, “ We plainly see that 
the two kinds of pollen and the two stigmas are widely dis- 
similar in their mutual reaction, the stigmas of each form 
being almost powerless on their own pollen, but causing, 
through some mysterious influence, apparently by simple con- 
tact (for I could detect no viscid secretion), the pollen-grains 
of the opposite form to protrude their tubes. It may be said 
that the two pollens and the two stigmas mutually recognize 
each other by some means/'’ (The italics are mine.) 
Here then are mysteries surpassing fable connected with the 
ordinary hfe of our common flowers,* and for the explanation 
of which no merely mechanical or merely chemical theory 
has ever been attempted to be offei’ed. 
Alike mysterious does it seem to me that the essential 
nature should be changed, as in hybrids, where we find the 
different forms not flowing together without mixing, as in the 
Cytisus Adarni, but really united. The phenomena of the 
crossing of plants exhibit this intimate mixture. I will take 
an instance which I have myself examined. A cross between 
two species of Cinchona was produced in Java. I have de- 
scribed it as the Calisaya Anglica. In this case the fusion 
operated by the interference of the pollen between the two 
species, was strikingly complete in several respects of form, 
colour, &c., but most so, in a point of intimate organization, 
which we seldom have so good an opportunity of investigating. 
Both the parents possessed specialities in the production of 
alkaloids, the cells of one elaborating Quinine, the other 
Cinchonine. When hybridized, the product was a mixture 
of the two. I suppose, therefore, that the chemical pro- 
perties of every cell were altered by the interference of the 
pollen and the consequent cross fertilization. The supposition 
of an alternation of cells of different productive powers seems 
less probable. 
The products derived from the crossing of animals are 
much more remarkable, especially in reference to the transfer- 
ence of the vis insita, and not only the corporeal characteris- 
tics, but also the dispositions and the mental characteristics 
of the parents. 
The President of the British Association says, that, in the 
* Compare the works of the elder Darwin. 
