Hybridism in the New Zealand Flora 109 
species Obviously such a species may be either a relict, or it may 
be apparently of recent origin 1 with no near relatives; nevertheless, 
it is really biologically equivalent to any of the varieties (jordanons) 
of an aggregate species, and should all such, except one variety, die 
out in course of time, the surviving group would be a variety no 
longer but an invariable species (the monospecific linneon of Lotsy, 
lx. p. 157), see Cockayne, Lc, p. 76. 
Notwithstanding the opinions expressed in the last paragraph, 
for the sake of comparison with the usual floristic treatment of 
hybrids, I am separating those of New Zealand into (1) hybrids 
between species and (2) hybrids between the varieties within an aggregate 
species. Naturally the former are of the more general interest, and 
so receive the chief consideration. The matter of hybrids between 
varieties within aggregate species is chiefly concerned with the im¬ 
portant question of the so-called “intermediates” and polymorphy 
of species in general. Only the spermophytes are dealt with. The 
literature relating to New Zealand wild hybrids is trifling; any of 
moment is cited further on. 
In concluding these general remarks I wish to thank most sin¬ 
cerely the following botanists who have rendered valuable assistance: 
Mr E. Atkinson (Dept, of Agriculture, N.Z.), Mr. H. H. Allan, M.A., 
F.L.S. (Feilding, N.Z.), Mr B. C. Aston, F.I.C., F.N.Z.Inst. (Wel¬ 
lington, N.Z.), Mr C. E. Foweraker, M.A., F.L.S. (Canterbury College, 
N.Z.), Prof. R. M. Harper (College Point, N.Y., U.S.A.), Prof. J. W. 
Harshberger (University of Pennsylvania), Prof. Aug. Henry 
(Royal College of Science, Dublin), Prof. W. L. Jepson (University 
of California), Mr R. M. Laing, B.Sc., F.N.Z.Inst. (Christchurch, 
N.Z.) and Mr A. W. Page, M.A. (Christchurch, N.Z.). 
HYBRipS BETWEEN SPECIES 
General. Under this head are included all suggested hybrids in 
which aggregate and invariable species (one or both) are concerned. 
In the case of crosses between two invariable species it is assumed 
that the actual parentage is evident; but, in the case of crosses where 
one or both parents are aggregates, unless the actual parental variety 
is known, the true parentage of the hybrid lies in doubt. At any 
rate, more distinct hybrid forms may be expected in the latter case 
than in the former and certain genera should be specially affected, 
e.g. Accena, Celmisia, Epilobium and Veronica. Crosses will also 
occur between the hybrids themselves, or between these and one or 
1 See J. C. Willis, Age and Area, pp. 216-17. Cambridge, 1922. 
