CERTAIN SPECIES OF ASCLEPIADEX. 49 
tained in the cucullate folioles, got attached to the stigmatie glands 
and appeared unable to release tbemselves. 
On allowing the flowers to remain until completely withered, 1 
ascertained that the flies had not sufücient strength to extricate 
themselves and eventually perished with the flowers. 
That other insects also frequented the flowers to their own de- 
triment was abundantly visible from the remains of legs, belong- 
ing to small moths and other insects, detached and adhering to the 
stigmatic glands. 
After leaving Port Elizabeth my researches were for some time 
abandoned, and were resumed partly at the Koonap and partly at 
. Bedford. At the latter place I found that the same insects fre- 
quented G. pAysocarpus, with the important addition of several 
large wasps. 
It was here that I first observed that the pollen-masses were 
inserted in the fissures of the anthers ; but in most instances they 
seemed to have been pushed down instead of being regularly in- 
serted after withdrawal. 
In two other species of GompAocarpus common at Bedford I 
found the pollen-masses removed, and in some instances inserted, 
and I also captured several species of winged Hymenoptera with 
pollen-masses attached to their tarsi. 
Besides these, I may mention a beetle belonging to the genus 
Lycus, some moths, and Pyrameis cardui. 
At Ettrick I observed some plants of Gomphocarpus fructicosus 
and G. physocarpus, the first a true denizen of the Karroo, the 
latter confined to the grass-country, which two kinds of soil join 
hereabouts. 
Both plants were visited by large Hymenoptera ; and their 
flowers and pollen-masses resemble each other very closely in 
structure. I gathered in the neighbourhood specimens which 
appeared to partake of the characteristies of both plants in 
a modified degree, such as the distribution of tomentum, the 
colouring of the foliage and flowers, and the shape of the fol- 
licles. Iregret to state that, owing to several days’ incessant 
rain, these specimens were destroyed by mould during desic- 
cation, yet I am almost convinced that they partook of a hybrid 
nature, and am inclined to think that, under favourable cir- 
cumstances, they may be fertile and be established as permanent 
varieties. 
Later observations have tended to confirm this opinion ; for it is 
LINN. JOURN.— BOTANY, VOL. XIII. E 
MISSOURI 
