OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS EXHIBITED. 
453 
what is wanted in turning for information to reports of 
experiments. 
To deal with a question of this importance exhaustively is 
out of the question, but I hope I have said sufficient to indicate 
that the experimental side of horticulture should receive increased 
attention, and that greater advantage would result, even under 
existing conditions, were the experiments made in various parts 
of the country recorded with due regard to scientific exactitude. 
OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS 
EXHIBITED. 
Novembee 8, 1898. 
By the Rev. Prof. Geo. Henslow, M.A., V.M.H., &c. 
Neeine Hybeids. —An interesting collection was exhibited 
by Mr. Elwes, of which N. pudica x N. sarniensis was shown 
with the parents. Of the latter were several varieties. These 
were apparently the result of spontaneous variation among 
seedlings. The hybrid is called ‘ O’Brieni.’ Another was the 
result of crossing N.flertuosa (white) with N. Fothergilli (orange), 
and also with N. sarniensis. The latter showed the not un¬ 
common result of mixing white with orange , in that one of the 
two colours in combination disappears, the hybrid shown being 
pink. 
These latter hybrids are desirable because the foliage is fully 
developed simultaneously with the flowers (fig. 103); whereas 
in the former crosses it is more or less undeveloped. The usual 
period of flowering is in September; but an object Mr. Elwes 
had in view, and succeeded in obtaining, was to secure a race 
flowering later, so as to be associated with the Chrysanthemum. 
Mr. Henslow called attention to a feature of N. pudica, in 
that the two lowermost perianth leaves spread out, destroying 
the regularity or symmetry of the flower. This feature is 
observable in many flowers which have their stamens decimate, 
as in Epilobium , Dictamnus, Clerodendron, &c.; and the inference 
is, that as the stamens form the landing place for the insect, this 
disturbance of the perianth is a result of the intrusion of the 
insect visitor, and it has ultimately become a fixed feature. As 
