MRS. BAUBKR OK DUTERKOIA ADHATODOTDES. 469 



On the Fertilization aud Dissemination of Duvernoia adhafo- 



daides. By Mrs. BaeIer. (Communicated by Dr. Hooker, 

 V.RL.S.) 



[Read April 15, 1869.] 



adhatodoides (E 



Of this handsome 



species of Acanthacese, I received dried specimens and young 

 plants from J. H. Bowker, Esq., of the Frontier Armed and 

 Mounted Police. They were obtained from the forests near 

 Fort Bowker, on the Bashee Eiver, more than 200 miles beyond 

 the colonial, boundary, where this fine plant was not uncom- 

 mon, adding another charm to the many which adorn those 

 lonely but most interesting woods, and forming, with its innumer- 

 able snowy blossoms and broad dark-green leaves, a beautiful and 

 conspicuous object amidst the surrounding scenery. 



The species is a fine evergreen shrub or small tree, attaining 

 the height of from 8 to 10 feet, with numerous somewhat 

 quadrangular jointed branches, and pink-striped white flowers. 



The season of its bloom, which commences rather late in 

 autumn, extends in duration over nearly three months, until 

 near midwinter. 



The simple erect flowering branches or spikes of this plant 

 contain several rows of buds ; these are arranged in threes, and 

 placed alternately opposite on the inflorescence, the buds of these 

 triflorate groups blossoming in succession ; hence the protracted 

 period of its flowering-season. 



The blossoms of 2>. adhatodoides are mainly, if not entirely, 

 dependent upon insect agency for their 

 work is, as far as I have been able to ascertain, performed solely 

 by the large black and yellow Carpenter Bee (a species of the 

 genus Xyloeopa) : this bee, upon all bright and siumy days, is 

 an assiduous labourer amongst the flowers of this plant, creeping 

 into each in succession, and with its powerful wedge-shaped 

 proboscis or beak (see fig. 4) forcing open the constricted 

 tubes, which is done by inserting this wedge-shaped proboscis 

 into the fold which envelops the style (fig. 5): to accomplish 

 this, the bee seizes hold of the lobed projections of the; lower 

 divisions of the corolla, and, drawing its body up, forces its head 

 and thorax into the flower; this movement brings the hairy 

 thorax of the bee into the upper lip of the ringent corolla (fig. 3), 

 beneath which are placed the style and stamens (fig. 3). The 



LiNNi JOUBK. — BOTATnr, YOL. XT. 2 K 



fertilization 



