AXi) FERTILIZATIOX OJ CO^'ATEA. 475 



some time probing its empty nectary ; for my observations in this 

 respect agree with Mr, Trimen's. I found no free nectar in the 

 nectary, although, if I remember rightly, the substance of the 

 nectary was sweetly juicy when sliced open. 



In tlie Bedford species the nectary is generally full of nectar 

 up to the brim, while the flower on the contrary is scentless. 



In both plants the viscid matter on the disk hardens slowly, 

 and hence it may be a matter of some importance that an insect 

 visiting a flower should be delayed. In the one case the cheat 

 would probably be quickly detected, whilst, in the other, the 

 abundance of nectar would probably soon satisfy a visitor. I 

 may state here that, so far as my observations go, most of tlie 

 scented dull-coloured Lndacecv and Orcliidece have a great wimi- 

 larity of perfume, and that, whilst the former are very numerous 

 in individuals, the latter are sparsely scattered about 



In 5. speciosa it is of the utmost importance that the viscid 

 disks should be fixed laterally and backwardly on the head or 

 thorax of the visiting insect; for otherwise the straightened polliuia 

 would liave little chance of touching]: the elonf^^ated stimiatic 

 processes. 



In the Bedford species the pollen masses were in both instances 

 attached to nearly the centre of the sternum, and easily came in 

 contact with the spatelliform processes, which are relatively much 

 shorter than in speciosa. 



In the only specimen o^ speciosa which I examined, the pollinia 

 were unremoved in the three flowers which were expanded. 



In Soltoni the stigmatic surfaces are much inclined upwards, 

 and the anterior portions of the petals project upwards as guides 

 to the insects visiting the flowers. 



In speciosa both the sepals and petals curve upwards, but in a 

 less marked manner than in Boltoni ] and, to the best of my recol- 

 lection (but of this I am uncertain), the stigmatic processes in the 

 full-blown flower have likewise an upward tendency. 



In the Bedford species this tendency is only evinced by a slight 

 and insignificant twist at the straightened apices af the anterior 

 petals ; and in Sanndersice both sepals and petals are markedly 

 decumbent, tlie apices being curved, indeed, but very slightly, and 

 in no Avay upwards. 



It will be remarked that I only knew of one spot near Port 

 Elizabeth where speciosa could be found ; and there it is said to 

 grow but sparsely. 



The species at Bedford was numerous ; and in almost every case 



