Every one of the self-fertilised plants (and many were raised) in this,
as well as in the eighth and ninth generations, belonged to the tall
white variety. Their uniformity of character, in comparison with the
seedlings first raised from the purchased seed, was quite remarkable. On
the other hand, the crossed plants differed much in the tints of their
flowers, but not, I think, to so great a degree as those first raised. I
determined this time to measure the plants on both sides carefully. The
self-fertilised seedlings came up rather before the crossed, but both
lots were for a time of equal height. When first measured, the average
height of the six tallest crossed plants in the three pots was 7.02, and
that of the six tallest self-fertilised plants 8.97 inches, or as 100 to
128. When fully grown the same plants were again measured, with the
result shown in Table 3/18.
TABLE 3/18. Mimulus luteus (Seventh Generation).
Heights of Plants in inches:
Column 1: Number (Name) of Pot.
Column 2: Crossed Plants.
Column 3: Self-fertilised Plants.
Pot 1 : 11 2/8 : 19 1/8.
Pot 1 : 11 7/8 : 18.
Pot 2 : 12 6/8 : 18 2/8.
Pot 2 : 11 2/8 : 14 6/8.
Pot 3 : 9 6/8 : 12 6/8.
Pot 3 : 11 6/8 : 11.
Total : 68.63 : 93.88.
The average height of the six crossed is here 11.43, and that of the six
self-fertilised 15.64, or as 100 to 137.
As it is now evident that the tall white variety transmitted its
characters faithfully, and as the self-fertilised plants consisted
exclusively of this variety, it was manifest that they would always
exceed in height the crossed plants which belonged chiefly to the
original shorter varieties.
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