542 MB. H. O. FOBBES ON 



embracing the column, yet self-fertilized, and rarely, if ever, 

 anything else. 



The above account of P. Blumei would perfectly suit all the 

 species that I have examined* growing in their wild state or in 

 cultivation. 



Phaius amboinensis and P. albescens both seem to be fertilized 

 in almost the same manner as P. Blumei. Of the latter (P. albes- 

 cens), however, I have had an opportunity of seeing only one 

 plant, in the Botanical Gardens, Buitenzorg ; but on this plant 

 two of the flowers at least were self-fertilized, the others not 

 being in a state permitting of study. 



Spathoglottis plicata, Blume, is in general habit, when viewed 

 from a little distance, very like that of Qalantlie ; but the method 

 of fertilization differs from that just described. 



The mature column is markedly arched from before backwards ; 

 the pollen-masses lie in a rather deep anther, which runs out 

 into a long sharp triangular rostellum far overarching the stigma. 

 The caudicles of the pollinia, composed of pollen-grains, pro- 

 trude from below the anther-case, and lie on the rostellum, pro- 

 jecting a little beyond its tip. The stigma is triangular, the 

 apex of the triangle extending considerably down the front of 

 the column. There is no nectary. 



If a young bud be examined, the stigmatic substance is found to 

 become viscid at an early period. As soon as it has rotated into 

 its normal position, the viscid matter of the stigma begins to 

 increase in quantity — the increase being often so great that it 

 bulges out in front of the rim of the stigma, and swelling up, flows 

 over the margin of the anther by the canal between the column 

 and the edge of the rostellum. I have found that, several days 

 before the opening of the flower, the external pollen-masses on 

 each side are bathed with the stigmatic fluid, and have already 

 swollen somewhat and become viscid. Their tubes proceed along 

 the groove on each side of the rostellum, and meeting together 

 a little below it (the rostellum), proceed along the stylary canal 

 to the ovarium. All the pollinia finally get affected with stig- 

 matic fluid, and emit their tubes by the same canals. The pollen- 

 grains of tips of the caudicles remain unaffected as a rule. The 

 pollinia never move from their natural position in the anther ; 

 and were it not for the swelling of the ovary, it would not 

 always at the first glance be easy to say whether the flower was 

 fertilized or not. Concomitant with the flooding of the anther, 



