54 
BOTANICAL NOTES. 
We have had, this year, a most excellent illustration of 
the apparent influence of a cross between two quite diver- 
gent races in stimulating atavism. 
Last year the Bruine geel lettuce (Red Edged Victoria, 
No. 49, Report of 1885) was crossed with pollen of the Deer 
Tongue (No. 69, Report of 1885), and the resulting seed was 
reserved for planting in 1886. 
In 1886 the crop from this seed showed very divergent. 
characters, and all could be referred to types of varieties. - 
embracing seven distinct sorts. 7 
One, the Curled Cutting (No. 86, Report of 1885). As the 
Curled Cutting lettuce occupied an adjoining row, there 
was a possibility that the seed appeared in the crossed row 
through accident. | 
Another kind was of the Deer Tongue type (No. 69, Re-. 
port of 1885), but the leaves somewhat broader, little less. 
erect, less glaucous, and more deeply dentate in the lower 
half. This plant can be identified with the Lattuga franzese, 
figured by Castor Durante in his Herbario novo, 1617, page 
944: while another plant seems nearer to the Lactuca folio. 
oblongo acuto, figured by Caspar Bauhin in his Prodromus, 
edition of 1671, page 60. These two figures seem to be the 
Lactuca longifolia described by Bauhin in his phytopinax, 
1596, page 200. 
The third kind was The Deacon (No. 56, Report of 1885). 
This lettuce was grown three rows distant, and there is a. 
possibility of the seed having blown in at the time of planting. 
The fourth kind may be referred to as the Cos type. In 
this case there can be no uncertainty in regard to type, but 
we are unable to refer precisely to a distinct variety. The 
leaves are obscurely pointed, are larger than those of other 
varieties, excepting the Monstrous Brown or the Florence 
Cos., have considerable lustre, and are somewhat blistered 5. 
the rib quite spiny in the lower portion. |The resemblance 
to Lactuca intybacea, Gerarde’s Herbal, 1597, is quite note- 
worthy. 
The next plant resembles the last, but the leaves are nar- 
rower and less blistered. The third plant of this type has. 
broader leaves, with a somewhat ruffled margin, and is 
more obscurely pointed. 
The sixth sort is a spotted Cos., the leaves having scat- 
tered chocolate-colored spots. ° 
The seventh plant answers to the description of Lactuca 
silvestre, as given by De Candolle in his Flore Francais, and 
of which he gives as synonyms Lactuca scariola Lin, and 
Lactuca sylvestris, of Camerarius’ Epitome. By referring 
to this latter, edition of 1586, page 300, our plant is found 
figured. 


