are bounded by certain limits, respecting the laws 
of which we are almost as ignorant as of the original 
creation of the plants themselves. Hybridisation 
sometimes occurs spontaneously amongst plants, by 
the pollen being carried by insects or the air, as if to 
show man what he may accomplish. 
Gladiolus ramosus is a hybrid from floribundus, 
vitli some of the more tender species, of which Mr. 
Willmore has now in bloom about forty seedlings, 
all more or less resembling that now figured. It 
appears to be exceedingly desirable to obtain hybrids 
between this and Gandavensis, which hybrids may 
possibly be united with some of the Cardinalis sec- 
tion, although all attempts hitherto, as far as we 
have been informed, to unite Gandavensis and Car- 
dinalis have failed ; a fact which was long ago 
stated by the late Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert, 
whose researches in these matters, have surpassed 
those of all his contemporaries. This desirable 
object need not, however, be despaired of, for al- 
though it may be impracticable to unite Ganda- 
vensis and Cardinalis with each other directly, they 
may, probably be united indirectly, through the in- 
tervention of a third species, and thus the more 
hardy species, may acquire the colours and qualities 
of the tender ; or the high coloured tender ones, ac- 
quire the hardness that would render them still 
more valuable. Here is ample scope for the intelli- 
gent gardener and florist, and, we doubt not their 
industry in car lying out those advancements in cul- 
ture, which are so evidently intended by the Al- 
mighty to be executed by man, to whom he has 
assigned rational powers for the purpose. 
