48 



OK THE FERTILISATION OF EUPOMATIA 

 LAURINA, R.Br. 



By Alex. G. Hamilton, 



. (Plate III.) 



This remarkable plant flowered plentifully in December, 1896, 

 and I was able to make a series of observations upon it. The 

 results fully support Robert Brown's hypothesis as to the method 

 of fertilisation. He speaks of it in the following words : — " A 

 singular part of the structure of Eupomatia lanrina consists in 

 its internal barren petal-like stamens which from their number 

 and disposition completely cut off all communication between the 

 antherse and stigmata. This communication appears to be restored 

 by certain minute insects eating the petal-like filaments, while 

 the antheriferous stamina, which are either expanded or reflected, 

 and appear to be slightly irritable, remain untouched. . . I 

 have at least not unfrequently seen the barren stamina removed in 

 this way, and as all the stamina are firmly connected at the base, 

 and fall off" together, it is difficult to conceive any other mode of 

 exposing the stigmata to the influence of the anthene " (1). In 

 another place (2) he speaks of it in almost identical terms. 



The late Dr. G. Bennett says : — " The Eupomatia laurina is 

 found in woods and thickets about Port Jackson, and is abundant 

 in the Illawarra district about the mountains. It flowers from 

 December to February. The branches are long and drooping 

 with handsome dark green laurel-like foliage, producing small 

 white flowers of most singular structure and delightful fragrance. 

 In December the trees are covered with a profusion of 

 white waxy flowers emitting an odor similar to that of Magnolia 

 fuscata. The only insect I observed on the flowers was a small 

 Curculio similar to that seen on the Eupomatia in Illawarra." 

 In two footnotes he adds : — :' Another species has been discovered 

 in Moreton Bay District (Q.) with small but elegant variegated 



