THE PLANT WORLD. 7 



Further examination brought to light the fact that many of the older 

 flowers had been previously visited; some had lost one, others both of 

 the pollinia, Young flowers would not yield them, but when at just 

 the right age the pencil would invariably bring one or both. The 

 viscid disks adhered to the pencil with great flrmness, although when 

 examined several hours after extraction there was no perceptible drying 

 or solidifying of the viscid matter. From the extractions by pencil I 

 did not succeed in demonstrating any deflection of the caudicles, but 

 from the position taken by those attached to the mosquito, it would ap- 

 ])ear that these had been deflected forward after leaving the flower. 

 The attachment of the disks to the insect was by the lower front of the 

 head extending n\) and covering more than half of the compound eyes. 

 The caudicles i)roiected forward on either side of and parallel with the 

 mouth parts which extended but little beyond the pollen masses. 



An attempt was made to catch the insects in the act of visiting 

 flowers, but crouching in the wet for some time beside a clump of 

 plants brought no results beyond good proof tiiat blood was more at- 

 tractive than nectar. After tinding the flrst pollinia laden mosquito, 

 others were watched for, and seven were captured. Four of these car- 

 ried two pollinia each. Three had each one pollinium. On two of 

 these last the pollen masses were nearly gone, leaving only the disks 

 with portions of the caudicles still attached. 



The numl)er of insects found carrying pollinia is small in propor- 

 tion to the numl)er noticed, but that this pestiferous mosquito can be 

 credited with so innocent an employment as the fertilization of a very 

 pretty though common plant was to me interesting, and 1 would almost 

 confess to a more kindly feeling toward it. 



One other fact might be added. In the search for pollinia bearing 

 insects it was observed that the mosquito has troubles of its own. 

 Three individuals were taken each of which carried a well developed 

 colony of brilliant carmine colored parasitic mites. 



Colorado Agricultural CoUeg-e. 



The Camphor Tree [Laurus Camphora) is being planted as a street 

 tree in New Orleans, La. A tree planted in 1883 in a four inch pot is 

 now 35 feet high and 52 inches in circumference on the butt. — The 

 Forester, 



