These two lots having been left freely exposed to the visits of
insects, did not present any difference to the eye in the number of
seed-capsules which they produced.
The remainder of the same two lots of seeds were sown in two adjoining
rows in the open ground; so that the plants were exposed to only
moderate competition. The eight tallest on each side were measured, as
shown in Table 4/38.
TABLE 4/38. Reseda odorata, growing in the open ground.
Heights of plants measured in inches.
Column 1: Crossed Plants.
Column 2: Self-fertilised Plants.
24 4/8 : 26 5/8.
27 2/8 : 25 7/8.
24 : 25.
26 6/8 : 28 3/8.
25 : 29 7/8.
26 2/8 : 25 7/8.
27 2/8 : 26 7/8.
25 1/8 : 28 2/8.
Total : 206.13 : 216.75
The average height of the eight crossed plants is 25.76, and that of the
eight self-fertilised 27.09; or as 100 to 105.
We here have the anomalous result of the self-fertilised plants being a
little taller than the crossed; of which fact I can offer no
explanation. It is of course possible, but not probable, that the labels
may have been interchanged by accident.
Another experiment was now tried: all the self-fertilised capsules,
though very few in number, were gathered from one of the
semi-self-sterile plants under a net; and as several flowers on this
same plant had been fertilised with pollen from a distinct individual,
crossed seeds were thus obtained.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193