These fruits contained on an average 2 seeds, with a
maximum in one of three seeds. Twenty-four spontaneously self-fertilised
fruits were produced by the same plant, and these contained on an
average 1.2 seeds, with a maximum of two in one fruit. So that the
fruits from the artificially crossed flowers yielded seeds compared with
those from the spontaneously self-fertilised flowers, in the ratio of
100 to 60. But the self-fertilised seeds, as often occurs when few are
produced, were heavier than the crossed seeds in the ratio of 100 to 90.
These two lots of seeds were sown on opposite sides of two large pots;
but I succeeded in raising only four pairs of equal age. When the
seedlings on both sides were about 8 inches in height they were equal.
When in full flower they were measured, as follows:--
TABLE 5/74. Borago officinalis.
Heights of plants measured in inches.
Column 1: Number (Name) of Pot.
Column 2: Crossed Plants.
Column 3: Self-fertilised Plants.
Pot 1 : 19 : 13 4/8.
Pot 1 : 21 : 18 6/8.
Pot 1 : 16 4/8 : 20 2/8.
Pot 2 : 26 2/8 : 32 2/8.
Total : 82.75 : 84.75.
The average height of the four crossed plants is here 20.68, and that of
the four self-fertilised 21.18 inches; or as 100 to 102. The
self-fertilised plants thus exceeded the crossed in height by a little;
but this was entirely due to the tallness of one of the self-fertilised.
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