THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, August 7, 1860. 
ness of growth and clearness of colour seem to be gained by pre¬ 
serving the seeds for several years ; the fresher a seed, the sooner 
will it vegetate, and the stronger and more luxuriant the plant. 
In double composite flowers—such as the Dahlia, which consist 
of a number of florets upon a common receptacle, though the 
most of these florets may have their parts of fructification changed 
into petals, others may be unchanged, though they remain un¬ 
noticed until the petals fall off; and from these, when seeds are 
produced, more double flowers may bo expected than from seeds 
saved from more single varieties, because possessing a greater 
constitutional tendency in that direction. This will more espe¬ 
cially bo the result when, as in other cases, high cultivation is 
resorted to whenever the seed appears. Thus something like 
superfoetation is induced in the seed, which leads it afterwards, 
when sown, to developo itself more in leaves and petals (which 
botanists tell us are the same thing), instead of flowers producing 
seed ; and this altogether independent of the culture it receives 
for that season. When any of our friends, therefore, look some¬ 
what disconsolate on their beds of Stocks nearly all single, they 
may rest next to assured that the culture they imparted had 
little or nothing to do with it. The seeds they sowed would 
have been single under any circumstances. The matter is dif¬ 
ferent in the perennial plants—such as the Daisy and the Prim¬ 
rose. Without resorting to seeds at all, the plant from being 
divided, having its soil frequently changed and stimulated by 
rich compost, will often gradually change from the single into 
the double-flowering condition upon exactly the same principles; 
luxuriance and fruitfulness being ever opposed to each other. 
Secondly. On much the same principle, care should be taken 
to preserve double flowers, when propagating them by cuttings, 
runners, and divisions of the root, by giving them the same care¬ 
ful cultivation, otherwise they are apt to return to the primitive 
single state. To secure this object effectually, two considerations 
should be attended to. If a rich stimulating system of cultiva¬ 
tion is at first resorted to, there will be the likelihood of having 
a luxuriant development of stem and leaves, at the expense of 
depriving the flowers of their requisite proportions. In all free- 
growing luxuriant plants it will be wise policy not to over¬ 
stimulate the plant until the bloom appears ; and the increased 
nourishment judiciously given will then enlarge the size of the 
flower, while the rest of the plant would continue to main¬ 
tain a comparative dwarf and stubby character. In choosing 
seed when it is produced, let it be selected from such plants. 
Then, again, if the size of the flower is to be maintained, and 
prevented degenerating into its primitive condition, rich composts 
should not only be used, but fresh soil, if possible, given to them 
every year .—(Cottage Gardener, iv.) 
Another practical man, Mr. Wooler, Geneva House, Darling¬ 
ton, remarks that, “ In Germany, seed-growing and thus doubling 
flowers have been greatly effected by rich culture in pots, and 
selection of plants with indicating a predisposition to produce 
excess of petals around the corolla, but particularly when the 
stamens are converted into petals. From my own experience, 
I have learnt that a bed, made up on the north side of a three- 
feet-high new Quickset hedge, which was not too dense or tall 
to prevent both air and light to permeate, yet, at the same time, 
afforded shade from the parching sun, produced most flowers 
from seedlings (which had been raised in light, rich earth, in 
pans, and then pricked out), partly semi-double, and which, 
when removed to poorer soil, lost this disposition of their stamens 
to become petals. I would, therefore recommend such a border 
made of stiffish loam, with plenty of old Melon or hotbed manure 
dug into it; although this class of plants will, with due shade 
and moisture, not only flower best, but these flowers will, under 
such circumstances, be much larger than if exposed to too much 
sun and the wind. Were I to make a renewed attempt, I would 
have every plant in a pot, so that it might be completely under 
control; and when the seed was perfecting, it might, if needs 
be,—as, for instance, if the weather should prove wet and cloudy, 
so as to unduly promote the growth of leaves,—be removed to 
a drier and more sunny situation. 
“ Of course, only flowers with six, seven, eight, or more petals, 
or the stamens transformed into petals, or with any other in¬ 
dication of a predisposition to produce double flowers, should 
be allowed to remain upon the plant. 
“I have heard it said that the double Primrose, if planted in 
poor soil, will return to the single state. I have tried, but never 
could accomplish this ; my object was to endeavour to get these 
double flowers with duly-formed seed-vessels and pistilum to 
enable me to impregnate it, and get seed from it. The double 
varieties are so fully double, that seed-vessel, stamen, and pistilum, 
are all converted into petals; and thus, failing in these organs, 
the flowers are so much more enduring than the single ones, in 
which, as soon as the ovarium is impregnated, the petals are 
gradually deprived of their nutriment. 
“ Flowers, not ‘ pin-lieaded,’ are difficult to cross, as it is a 
tedious operation to cut out with scissors the stamens before 
the pollen has been scattered. I tried many experiments, somo 
years ago, and found that the whole of the corolla, with the 
stamens, might be amputated without diminishing the power to 
perfect seed. But, lor the sake of doubling this cannot be 
recommended; for, as the stamens grow from the tube of the 
corolla, no doubt the petals must have some effect to confer. 
Besides, as the object is to induce the greatest predisposition to 
multiply both growth and number of petals, these should be 
given all encouragement, and several of the pips removed, so 
that the few remaining may have no stint of the requisites for 
their development.”— {Ibid., xxii.)—J. 
{To be continued .) 
WHAT TO LOOK FOR OFT THE SEASHORE. 
{Continued from page 247-) 
Jeixy Fish {Continued). 
Anothee peculiarity of these strange creatures, the Jelly Fish, 
is deserving of particular notice, and provocative of special ad¬ 
miration—namely, the power many species possess of emitting a 
bright phosphorescent light. We may remark in the first place, 
that a fleet of these creatures seen in the daytime in calm weather 
when they swim close to the surface of the water, present a mag¬ 
nificent sight; for, as the sun shines upon them, the variegated 
irridescence with which its light is reflected to the eye of the 
beholder, is peculiarily beautiful. This irridescence resides in 
eight longitudinal bands, which encircle the animal; over these 
bands the light plays, and at last all the colours of the rainbow 
dance and sparkle over the surface with extreme brilliancy. These 
bands are the locomotive organs, and it is to the action of the 
light glancing upon them when in motion, that this charming 
appearance is to be attributed. With the approach of night 
this glittering scene gives place to another as effective, for they 
are as luminous by night as by day, although the light is of a 
different character. We revert, then, to the phosphorescent fight 
emitted by many of the species; indeed, the Arabians on the 
borders of the Red Sea give the name of “ Sea Candles ” to the 
entire family of Jelly Fish. It is an error, however, to suppose 
that they all possess this phosphorescent quality any more than 
the stinging properties with which they have been indiscrimi¬ 
nately invested. Through this phosphorescence the sea appears 
as if filled with fire, especially when the surface is rippled by a 
slight breeze, or the waves are dashed aside by the motion of a 
boat;—as Professor Forbes expresses it, “ when on a summer’s 
night the waves flash fire as they break upon the shore, or glow 
with myriads of sparks as they curl and froth about the prow of 
the moving ship, or under the blade of the striking oar, it is to 
delicate and almost invisible Medusa; that they chiefly owe their 
phosphorescence.” 
If a vessel be filled with sea-water containing some of the Jelly 
Fish, and placed in the dark, it will emit small flashes of fight on 
being tapped, or even if the foot be stamped upon the ground ; 
in fact, on any mode of irritation being adopted against the in¬ 
habitants of the vessel. This phosphorescence is a vital pheno¬ 
menon, and ceases on the death of the animals, although some of 
them, in common with other organic substances, are luminous 
even after death ; but the fight is of a different character from 
the phosphorescence displayed during life ; the living irradiations 
of the animal being of a yellowish red, whilst the light given out 
after death is of a bluish green. The magnificent phenomenon of 
the illumination of the sea, described by so many travellers, is 
thus seen to be caused by the brilliant sparks emitted by these 
strange marine animals, especially by those which are no bigger 
than a pin’s head. That the larger species are phosphorescent, 
however, as well as the smaller, is clearly proved ; and the sailor 
on his midnight watch may often see, far down below the keel of 
his vessel, strange bright bodies which look like swimming globes 
of fire, or red-hot cannon-balls. These are supposed to be globose 
and luminous Medusae of very formidable dimensions. All the 
species on arriving at maturity are free swimmers. They may be 
caught by means of a muslin net, which must bo drawn gently 
