B^tobobentiron ^ocietp i^oteai 
disinclined. And the same variation may exist in the case of R. jasminiflorum 
(Mr. Anderson-Henry has a blush-coloured variety). Indeed, extraordinary 
variation seems to be a feature of the Malayan Rhododendron flora ; Dr. Beccari 
(Malesia, part III.), saying ; “ Dalle mie osservazioni particolari apparisce 
che quasi ogni cima di montagna in Borneo ha le sue forme speciali che non 
sembrano diffondersi nemmeno suUe montagne prossime.” The results of 
Mr. Taylor’s labours seem most encouraging for fresh experiments in the same 
field. 
A great variety of floral beauty, very novel and very striking, has been 
attained by intercrossing with four Malayan species, three of those species being 
said to be closely allied with one another. Let no one suppose, however, that 
there are not many more species to be drawn from the same region for 
the instruction of botanists, the delight of horticulturists, and the material for 
hybridisers. Dr. Beccari mentions twenty-seven species inhabiting the Malesian 
and Papuan Archipelago, and one of them, R. Konori, discovered in New Guinea, 
he says : “ Essa e forse la piu bella specie di Rhododendron deU’ Arcipelago.” 
Of the Bornean Rhododendrons alone he says : ‘‘ Con le specie da me adesso 
descritte i Rhododendron conosciuti di Borneo ammontano a 15 specie ben 
distinte.” 
As to the possibility of crossing this Malesian tribe with other members of 
the genus, inhabiting other regions of the globe, I know next to nothing, and 
should be very grateful for information. 
The Messrs. Veitch have from time to time most kindly and liberally supplied 
me with pollen of their hybrid strain. I find that in 1876 I used it upon four 
different Rhododendrons, on Azalea amcena, three kinds of Azalea indica, and 
Azalea pontica of five varieties, wholly without result. In 1877, I used it 
upon two seedlings of R. molle (what used to be Azalea mollis, at Kew, is now 
R. molle), and on various Azaleas and Rhododendrons and hybrids, again 
without success. 
In 1878, I used it upon R. multiflorumxciliatum xvirgatum, ciliatum, 
formosum, Maddenii, glaucum, molle, “ Princess Alice,” and “ Sesteri- 
ANUM,” and on Azalea amcena and many others. 
This year I have used it upon most of the above again, and also upon 
R. Dalhousi.®, calophyllum, pendulum, “Lady Sefton,” Gibsonii hybridum, 
and GLAUCUM hybridum (the last three raised by Mr. Davies, of Ormskirk), 
Boothii, campylocarpum, lepidotum, triflorum, and a number of hardy 
hybrids and others. 
So far (and I have omitted my work with Malayan species), I see no sign 
of success ; but I must not yet wholly despair as to the experiment of this year. 
I have found, by careful observation, that a month, on an average, is the 
time required for the journey of the quickening influences of the pollen down 
the style of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, and the resulting and (with a lens) 
obvious expansion of the ovary. All botanists know that plants differ very 
much in the time required for this operation ; and perhaps some day you will 
give me leave to explain how Rhododendrons differ among themselves. 
Interval between 
pollination and 
swelling of ovary. 
69 
