50 MR. J. P. M. WEALE ON THE FERTILIZATION OF 
not uncommon for plants of most dissimilar genera in this Order 
to become fertilized by alien pollen, although in such instances 
the fruit is not matured. 
? Xyomalobium lingueforme ? Harv. MSS. 
This plant grows abundantly near my house, and flowers from 
November to January. The calyx is small. The corolla is large, 
and the segments curve upwards over the edge of the large stigma. 
The segments are parted nearly to their base, so that there are 
large openings between them. Each segment is directly oppo- 
site the fissure of the anthers, so as to prevent access from the 
-sides of the flower. The folioles are 3-lobed and fleshy. The 
lobes are stout and pointed; they curve outwards and inwards, 
like the corolla. The central lobe is the longest, and stands up 
on one side of the stigmatic gland between each anther. The 
smaller lobes of each foliole point upwards beneath each stigmatic 
gland. The bases of the folicles within secrete a sweet juice very 
attractive to Hymenoptera. 
The stigma is large and flat, and stands high up in the flower, 
so that the ale of the anthers project forwards between the cen- 
tral lobes of the folioles. The lobes are very convex and widely 
open at their base. 
It will thus be easily understood that while access to the stig- 
matie glands and fissures of the anthers is extremely difficult 
from the sides, from above the flower the same is tolerably 
easy, as the long central lobes of the folioles stand up between 
each gland, while a pair of the smaller lobes of two folioles meet 
immediately below the rounded projecting ale of the anthers. 
The folioles and stigma are pale yellowish green, nearly white, 
with a few brownish markings; and the corolla is green. The 
flowers are consequently inconspicuous although of moderate size. 
They have no scent, and do not secrete a large quantity of nectar 
at a time, although I imagine the flower continues its secretion 
for a long time until fertilized. 
This species is constantly visited by a large black-and-yellow 
wasp, which, from the neuration of the wings, belongs apparently 
to De St.-Fargeau’s genus Pallosoma, one of the Pepside. 
I have observed as many as six of these insects on one plant 
busily sucking the drops of nectar from the base of the tongue- 
shaped folioles. When thus engaged, they are exceedingly rest- 
less and active, straddling with their long legs across the flower 
