NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 287 



June 3. 



The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Thirty-two members present. 



Fertilization of Pedicidaris Canadensis. Mr. Thomas Meehan 

 drew attention to the structure of the flower of Pedicidaris Cana- 

 densis, in which it was evident self-impregnation was impossible, 

 and there seemed to be no special arrangements for fertilization 

 by distinct agency, as there were in so many allied plants. In this 

 case the stamens were included in the closely compressed arch of 

 the corolla, and, with the anthers, were directed retrorsely to the 

 pistil, which at an early stage, and long before the maturity of the 

 pollen, was protruded beyond the corolla, rendering self-fertiliza- 

 tion almost impossible in this flower. But the flowers were al- 

 ways abundantly fertile, and though the arrangements were such 

 as seemingly to afford no chance even for insects to aid in the 

 fertilization, it was also probable that in some way it was accom- 

 plished by them. Both last season and this he had devoted 

 some time to watching the plant, but failed to find any clue to the 

 process. A species of Bombus seemed to have the plant especially 

 under its charge, visiting the flowers in great numbers ; but they 

 bored throuoh the corolla on the outside of the tube for the saccha- 

 rine matter, and the anthers or pollen did not seem to be in the 

 least disturbed by this. Still it was so highly probable that in 

 some way some insect aided in the cross-fertilization of these 

 flowers, that it might serve a useful purpose to direct attention to 

 it, as others with time and opportunity' might discover what he 

 had failed to find. 



June 10. 

 The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Twenty-two members present. 



Mr. Gentry made the following remarks : 



At the last meeting of the Academy, Mr. Meehan made some 

 observations upon the peculiar structure of the flowers of Pedicu- 

 laris canadensis, observing that he had vainly watched them 

 during two seasons with the view of determining the manner in 

 which they were fertilized. He further said that he had noticed 

 that they received the attention of a species of bumble-bee, for the 

 sake of their honey, which in order to accomplish its purpose al- 

 ways bored a hole into the side of the tube. 



