29 
Hybrids , Parents. 
that it is a marked copy of the cruciate form of P. angulare , 
one of the parents selected with the object of obtaining a cru- 
ciate P. aculeatum . Instead of the usual gradual process, the 
form was obtained at once. This applies equally in the case 
of the polydactylous forms of P . angidare (see Figs. 4, 5 5 and 
6), and in the variegated forms of Scolopendrium vulgar e. 
As example, we have selected experiments made with va- 
rieties of A thyrium and Scolopendrium from Mr. Lowe’s series, 
and some made with varieties of Polystichum from Colonel 
Jones’s series. We might have given several hundred examples, 
but a few of each is ample illustration. 
Example 1. Athyrium. 
The following varieties were sown together : Victoriae , 
multifidum , Jonesii , Craigii , uncum , Harrisae, cruciatum ; 
Proteoides , tortile , rejlexum , laciniatum , and grammicon. 
The result has been several hundred intermediate forms, 
some very interesting. 
Example 2. Scolopendrium. 
In this experiment the varieties were crispum (rarely fer- 
tile) ; Victoriae , muricatum , marginatum , undidatum , digita - 
turn.) ramo-cristatum , laceratum , and a variegated crispum. 
The result has been various intermediate forms, a number 
of which are variegated ; for instance, the variegation in the 
crispum has passed into a crested form, the colour as well as 
the shape being altered. 
Example 3. POLYSTICHUM. 
The attempt was made to transfer the polydactylous cha- 
racter of certain forms of A. angidare to other forms of the 
same species, which preserved the normal outline and distinct 
individuality, but were not polydactylous. 
The forms used were Mr. Padley’s polydactylous form from 
the Vale of Avoca, and Colonel Jones’s Hampshire form. The 
polydactylous character has now been successfully transferred 
to the forms known as decompositum , acutilobum , divisilobum , 
