HARRIS AND KUCHS : OBSERVATIONS ON POLLINATION. 25 



out by pinching the anthers between their fore legs. Pollen 

 was stored on the hind legs. The insect was not seen to come 

 in contact with the tip of the large stamen or the stigma. 



Apis mellifica Linn. Taken at two p. m., August 5. They some- 

 times came in contact with large stamen and pistil, but more 

 often did not touch them at all. Occasionally both stamen and 

 pistil would come in contact with the same side of the insect's 

 body. Short stamens were sometimes approached from above, 

 the large stamen and pistil remaining untouched. 



Anglocliora pura Say. Taken at 10 : 30 a. m., August G. Ob- 

 tained pollen from the large stamen by alighting on it, crawl- 

 ing to the tips, and collecting it from the terminal pores. 



Halictus sp. A smaller insect than the preceding one, but 

 obtained pollen in the same manner. 7 



No bumblebees were taken around Lawrence, although many 

 were noticed working on the plants ; consequently the names 

 of the species noticed cannot be given. In St. Joseph, Mo., 

 there were taken at three p. m., when bees were not generally 

 seen working on the plant : 



Bombus virginicus. One specimen. 



Bombus pennsylvanicus . One specimen. 



An examination of fifty flowers taken at this time showed 

 from the dented condition of the small stamens that they had 

 all been visited. 



Between eight and nine a. m., September 3, when bees were 

 numerous, there were taken : 



Bombus virginicus. Two specimens. 



Bombus pennsylvanicus. Twelve specimens. 



Bombus scutcllaris. One specimen. 



The writers found that the bumblebees were the principal 

 agents effecting cross-pollination. It was observed that the bee 

 in visiting the flower allowed itself to rest on the tips of the ex- 

 tending stamen and pistil, which, being of the same length, came 

 in contact with both sides of the body just in front of the hind 

 legs, these being left perfectly free. The weight of the bee 

 springs down both stamen and pistil. 



Professor Todd's theory in regard to the pollination of this 

 plant is as follows : "The weight of* the bee so springs down the 



7. As will be remarked, the above insects were all taken August 5 and 6. Careful collecting 

 extending over a considerable period of time would doubtless secure many other forms which 

 visit the plant more or less frequently. 



