THE LORANTHACE^ OF CEYLON. 96 



probably merely an expression of the growth of the inner surface of the corolla-lobes. 

 Of course it is equally open to suggest that they serve as an indication of tlie ripeness of 

 the flower-bud ; and, doubtless, the opening of the flower in such cases as Loratiihus neeU 

 gherrensis, where the slits between the lobes are very marked, is often, if not generally, 

 effected by the withdrawal of a beak which has been thrust througli one of these wide 

 slits for the purpose of obtaining nectar, and which beak, in withdraAval, strikes the 

 upper parts of the lobes as yet united but ready to separate (fig. 1 c, PL X.). The growth 

 of the inner surface of the lobes, after their apices are freed, is coterminous witli the 

 growth of the inner surface of the upper part of the tube, which, consequently, opens 

 out — this opening out being possible owing to the existence of the slit in the upper part 

 of the tube. 



Whether opening of ripe flower-buds without a tapping on the apex occurs, I cannot 

 assert ; although various observations seem to show that, at all events, many buds, unless 

 tapped, remain closed. 



Thus, unopened corollas which have become detached at the base of the tube, and 

 slipped down the style, are commonly to be seen hanging on this persistent style. In 

 such cases there is some chance of self-fertilization, as has been suggested for other 

 genera. The inaccessibility of the flowers rendered experiment difiicult ; but the 

 following was tried, with a view to determining the question of the opening or non- 

 opening of the untouched flower-bud. Twelve apparently fully-developed flower-buds of 

 L. loniceroides (on a Peach-tree) were covered by fine muslin. At the end of three 

 weeks the results were : — 



Unopened and Opened and 



Unopened. Opened, dropped. dropped. 



4 2 4 2 



so that, though the numbers are too small to admit of generalizing, it may be pointed 

 out that two-thirds of the flower-buds did not open — and that the sources of error, such 

 as rubbing against the netting, all favour the opening of the buds. 



The first day on which explosions were observed by me was bright and sunny, and it 

 was subsequently noted that the explosions occurred with greater readiness on such 

 occasions than on days when rain was falling. When a host-branch was cut down, the 

 flower-buds on the Loranthus bush borne by it soon — in the course of less than one 

 hour — lost their power of opening, even in response to a smart tap. 



This prolonged bud state and subsequent explosion of the flowers of Loranths recalls 

 the very similar condition of affairs which exists in species of Crucianella, Linn. 



In addition to the " use " suggested above for this prolonged flower-bud state — viz., in 

 procuring a closer relation between flower and fertilizer — another advantage, the pro- 

 tection of the pollen from rain, may be urged. 



It might be supposed that in tropical flowers there is no need for protection against 

 damp or rain effects, but the Loranthaceae of Ceylon, probably for a reason to be referred 

 to immediately, flower very largely in the wet season, and of the 15 Cingalese species 5 

 are, according to Trimen, confined to the moist low country (L. nodijlorus, L. ensifolius, 

 L. lonchiphyllus, L. Gardneri, and L. capitellatus). 



