128

ADONIS AESTIVALIS.

Chap. IV.

derived from the crossed plants flowered in all three pots l>eforethe naturally crossed seedlings derived from the self-fertilisedplants. When both lots were in full flower, the two tallestplants on each side of each pot were measured, and the resultis shown in the preceding table.

The average height of tho six tallest plants derived from thecrossed plants is 12’56 inches; and that of the six tallest plantsderived from the self-fertilised plants is 10 31 inches; or as100 to 82. We here see a considerable difference in heightbetween the two sets, though very far from equalling that in theprevious trials between the offspring from crossed and self-fertilised flowers. This difference must be attributed to tholatter set of plants having inherited a weak constitution fromtheir parents, the offspring of self-fertilised flowers ; notwith-standing that the parents themselves had been freely inter-crossed with other plants by the aid of insects.

X. RANUNCULACEAE. — Adonis testivalis.

The results of my ex])criments on this plant are hardly worthgiving, as I remark in my notes made at the time, “ seedlings,from some unknown cause, all miserably unhealthy.” Nor did theyever become healthy; yet I feel bound to give the present case,as it is opposed to the general results at which I have arrived.Fifteen flowers were crossed and all produced fruit, containingon an average 32'5 seeds; nineteen flowers were fertilised withtheir own pollen, and they likewise all yielded fruit, containinga rather larger average of 34'5 seeds ; or as 100 to 106. Seedlingswere raised from these seeds. In one of the pots all the self-fertilised plants died whilst quite young; in the two others, themeasurements were as follows :

Table XLIII.Adonis sestivulis.

No. of Pot.

Crossed Plants.

Self-fertilised Plant?.

Inches.

Inches.

i.

14

135

131

13g

ii.

16|

131

135

15

Total in inches.

i 57-00

i

57'25