204 MR. G. BEXTHAM ON THE 



hairs found in the interior of the corolla-tube of almost all Goode- 

 noviece. When, however, I came to Leclienmtltia^ I observed a 

 very different stigmatic arraugement, suggesting an explanation 

 of Mr. Darwin's views ; and I have since learnt from him that that 

 was the genus upon which he had made the observation. I ha|e 

 now gone through the whole Order, analyzing every species, and, 

 as far as can be judged from dried specimens, there seems to be 

 considerable diversity in the impediments to impregnation opposed 

 by the structure of the parts, as well as in the contrivances provided 

 for overcoming these obstacles. The progress of development, 

 however, can only be watched on the living plant ; and it is in 

 order to call to the subject the attention of any observers who may 

 have any species in cultivation, and still more of those of our Fel- 

 lows who may be resident in Australia, that I lay before the So- 

 ciety the peculiarities which I have observed. 



In the majority of species, at the time the bud opens, the anthers 

 have shed the pollen ; the summit of the style is then near the 

 anthers; but the stigma is perfectly dry, has not received its full 

 development, and is evidently incapable of duly receiving the pollen. 

 At a later period the stigma has become raised far above the 

 anthers by the growth of the style, and has become otherwise 

 variously guarded against the access of pollen. In most species 

 of Ggodenia^ as stated in the * Botanical Magazine' under G.graU' 

 difloray t. 890, the cup-shaped indusium is at an early stage sur- 

 rounded by the anthers and then perfectly open, with the young 

 (as yet imperfect) stigma at the base. As the flower expands, the 

 indusium, raised far above the stamens, is firmly closed and often 

 further sheltered from external agency by the upper petals of the 

 corolla closely arching over it. It is, however, always full of pollen ; 

 and when the flowering is perfected, the stigma has grown up, m 

 many species, to the margin of the indusium, or forced itself just 

 through its closed lips. It is supposed that the indusium thus 

 collects the pollen as it passes through the anthers, and stores it 

 carefully till the stigma is ready to receive it, which would be a 

 contrivance for receiving fecundation from its own pollen. On 

 the other hand, the stigma, when ready, appearing at or beyond the 

 orifice, would indicate a provision towards the interchange of pollen 

 with other flowers through insect or other agency. What really 

 takes place can only be ascertained by the observation of the 



living plant. 



In ^ccevola the process is generally more simple : the indusium is 

 always more open and less sheltered by the corolla, but generally 



